A 10-year-old boy has been arrested over the death of a 79-year-old church volunteer who was found with a head injury, police have confirmed.

Officers were alerted by an ambulance crew called out to help the victim at 6.19pm on Sunday in the Harehills area of Leeds.

The pensioner was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the boy had been arrested.

It is understood the 79-year-old lived in the street where the incident happened. He is yet to be formally identified, police said.

Shocked neighbours described him as an "exceptional" man who had lived in the community for many years.

Abdul Hannan said, "He's been in this street for a considerable number of years. He's a personal friend and a family friend.

"He used to live in the street that my mum lives in. He would go out of his way to help the community.

""He would put the bins out, he would pick up litter from the streets, he would tell kids to put litter in the bins. He also volunteered in the local church on a regular basis.

It is thought the victim lived in Back Hill Top Avenue in Leeds

"He was an exceptional helper in the community - we're shocked and disturbed by what's happened." 

Liaqat Ali, manager of the Abubakar supermarket on nearby Roundhay Road, said the man was a regular customer and that he had seen him yesterday.

He said: "The old gentleman used to come to the shop all the time, God rest his soul. I've been here for 10 years and he'd been living in the area at least that long. I think he had a son.

"I saw the old man walking around yesterday afternoon, but I didn't speak to him. He was quite well-known in the area.

"Everyone's surprised that this has happened. I'm shocked they've arrested a little kid."

West Yorkshire Police are appealing for information about the man's death.