A further three men arrested last week on suspicion of murdering a pensioner in Biddenden have been bailed.

Two men, both 36 and from the Cranbrook area, were arrested when a swarm of emergency services swooped on land off Tenterden Road, Golford on Thursday morning.

A further man, a 32-year-old, was arrested in Sevenoaks the same evening. It was the fourth arrest during the investigation so far.

The raid in the village near Cranbrook followed the brutal killing of 73-year-old Roy Blackman, who was found dead in his Headcorn Road bungalow on Monday, March 21.

A post mortem found the well-known mechanic and bird breeder died of multiple blunt force injuries to the head, neck, chest and abdomen.

All three men have been bailed until July 1.

Last Wednesday a fourth man, a 49-year-old from Maidstone, was also arrested on suspicion of murder.

He has been bailed, pending further inquiries, until Thursday, April 28.

Police made the arrest after descending on the abandoned Valedene Business Park, on Headcorn Road, near Sutton Valence.

Detectives continue to search for a large safe — described as a 5ft tall, metal, mustard-coloured heavy duty cabinet — which was taken from Heartsay Cottage were Mr Blackman lived.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 01303 289600.

Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting incident reference 21-0203.