Described as "one of the nicest boys you could see", the 27-year-old victim, named locally as Elliot Guy, was stabbed to death as he left a party in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He was found with a stab wound to his neck in Tufnell Park, north London, and died later in hospital.

A neighbour of the victim's mother, who did not wish to be named, wept as she paid tribute to a "very nice, very quiet boy".

Speaking close to the family home in Mortimer Terrace, she said: "He was so innocent. That's why I'm so choked. I can't imagine the pain his family is going through. It's devastating. I watched him grow up.

"He had just finished his studies, he was very skilful. He was one of the nicest boys you could see."

Mr Guy lived in Devon and had recently become a father, according to neighbours.

Two men and a woman arrested in connection with the attack have been released on bail.

In Tufnell Park the victim's blood and a pile of dressings were visible on the pavement as forensic officers combed the street where he died.

According to local residents he staggered on to Dartmouth Park Hill and collapsed outside the Dome Music Hall where security guards attempted to revive him.

His death came less than two days after teenager Frederick Moody was fatally stabbed in the city.

The stabbing occurred not far from the scene of the death of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, whose funeral was held yesterday.