POLICE were today investigating the mystery death of a former York punk singer.

Bob De-Vries - who once strutted the stage at pubs across York with his band Cyanide - was found dead in his flat in Ebor Street, Clementhorpe, last night.

A police spokesman said his death was "unexplained", adding: "We are still awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death."

Neighbours spoke of their shock at the death of someone they described as a "helpful" and "nice enough" man, who had suffered from serious health problems in recent years.

Margaret Pickering, who lives in a flat below Mr De-Vries, said: "I am shocked to hell.

"Bob was a very helpful neighbour. He sang in various pubs in York with a punk band called Cyanide in the 80s.

"He didn't work - he wasn't fit because of a severe back problem, and walked with a stick."

She said he had drunk a lot in recent times.

Mrs Pickering, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said she had been in her flat yesterday evening when someone had pressed the front door buzzer, and she had let them in, thinking it was her nurse.

"Someone ran up the stairs and went to Bob's flat. Then I heard something drop to the floor - I thought it was Bob's walking stick: he often drops it."

She then heard loud talking, and then someone ran out of the flats in the direction of Cherry Street. Ten minutes later, police arrived, and she let them into the flats.

Brenda Robinson, landlady of the nearby Slip Inn, was stunned when the Evening Press broke the news of Bob's death to her.

She said Bob had once been a regular customer, and she had still waved to him in the street. "I just cannot believe it," she said, appearing to fight back tears.

"He was a nice enough lad, but he had a terrible problem with his back. He was in a lot of pain and was on medication.

"He used to play in the pubs with his band Cyanide, and also played with another band called DV and the Clients."

She believed he had once composed a song to help York City Football Club celebrate a triumph.

Updated: 15:28 Thursday, November 24, 2005