A private memorial service has been held for a man who was violently murdered in his own home.

Brian McKandie, 67, was beaten to death with a heavy object at his house in Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire.

The brief service was at Auchterless Church on Wednesday morning, a month on from his death on March 12.

Police are seeking two pairs of men seen at Mr McKandie's home in the days before he died.

Following the service, Mr McKandie's brother, William, said "We would like to again appeal to anyone who may have information that could assist police to get in touch.

"We would urge anyone who thinks they may be able to help even if they think the information is irrelevant to contact police and let them decide. Brian was a private, gentle man and we cannot understand why this would have happened to him.

"He was a genial man and was well liked in the local community. He had lived at his home in Badenscoth most of his life and was known for his passion which was fixing cars. He helped a great deal of folk and his death has come as a shock to us all.

"Somebody somewhere must know what happened to Brian and we would ask them to look to their conscience and call the police. We have lost our brother and we just want to know what happened and why."