THE man whose body was discovered at a York flat was city businessman Yusuf Majothi.

Police today said their investigation into his death, which was being treated as "suspicious", was continuing.

A 32-year-old woman who was arrested at the flat has been released on bail.

A post mortem examination found that the 72-year-old Mr Majothi died of a sudden heart attack while working for his family's Symryn takeaway curry business.

Officers were called to the flat in Poplar Tree Gardens on Sunday evening at 7.40pm after paramedics attended Mr Majothi, who had collapsed.

Today, family members paid tribute to the "philanthropist", who fled to England 32 years ago to escape persecution in Uganda.

His brother, Karim Majothi, said Mr Majothi's death was a "terrible shock", although he had suffered a heart attack ten years ago.

He said: "He was a down-to -earth person, very generous and helpful. He was a philanthropist in the family.

"He was always there when you needed him, whether it was a good time or a bad time. He was a very energetic man."

Another family member said Mr Majothi, who had a son and two daughters, was a "well known character" in the city.

Family members were today meeting at the takeaway in Saxon Place, off Dodsworth Avenue, Heworth, before prayers at Bull Lane Mosque and a burial service at Fulford Cemetery.

Mr Majothi travelled to England in 1972 with his family and all his possessions when Ugandan dictator Idi Amin issued an ultimatum to all Asian Ugandans to leave.

After arriving at Stansted Airport, they were sent to an Army camp before travelling to Leeds and eventually setting up a business in York.

His daughter, Naseem Beebeejaun, has since spoken out against racism and bigotry in the UK. She said family's like hers brought diversity to the country.

Updated: 09:40 Tuesday, October 12, 2004