Picture: Metropolitan Police

A flower seller was stabbed to death after an “altercation” with another man on a London street.

Tony Eastlake, 55, who’d worked on his flower stall for more than 40 years, died at the scene.

The police were called to the incident on Essex Road, Islington, north London

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command have launched a murder investigation.

Witnesses reported seeing the victim involved in an altercation with another man before the assault.

However, officers say they are keeping “an open mind” but are looking at several possibilities.

There have been no arrests.

Mr Eastlake’s family said:

“Our hearts are broken forever at the loss of such a very special man.

“A man who was loved by everybody in the Islington community, who is remembered as kind and caring and always laughing, but most importantly a father who leaves behind a devastated family, Lisa, Pauline, and his only daughter and best friend Paige, who he adored.

“Tony worked on the flower stall on Essex Road since he was 14 years old and was there through rain or shine, a smiling and friendly face to so many of us.

“There have already been hundreds of messages of support for him from all those who knew and loved him over the years.

“We ask you now please for your support in helping us to find the person or people who did this to our family – who took away a life so violently and unnecessarily.

“If you have any information at all we beg you to please come forward so we can get justice for Tony and his family.”

Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall, leading the investigation, said:

“Tony was a well-known, loved and respected member of the community.

“He had worked on and owned the flower stall on Essex Road for the last 39 years and was someone of considerable standing within the local area.

“We have a dedicated team of officers working around the clock to find the person or people responsible and I would like to hear from anybody who could help our investigation.”