A BAR has had its licence suspended after a man died in a fight outside it on Christmas Eve.

A murder investigation was launched by Essex Police after the death of Paul Wallington, who died outside The Vine, in Brentwood High Street.

He had been punched.

Despite specialists’ best efforts, he died at Queen’s Hospital, in Romford on December 29. An inquest into his death opened on Tuesday and the hearing heard the 25-year-old died from head injuries.

A 29-year-old door supervisor, from Basildon, has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of Mr Wallington’s murder. His licence has also been suspended by the Security Industry Authority while investigations continue.

Members of Brentwood Town Council made the decision to suspend the venue’s licence yesterday, pending a full review within 28 days.