A man being hunted by the police in connection with a murder investigation was last spotted in Ashford.

Detectives have launched a national manhunt - and are offering a £10,000 reward - for information leading to Shane O’Brien’s arrest and prosecution.

The 27-year-old, of Ladbroke Grove, in west London, is wanted following the murder of Josh Hanson, 21, who was fatally stabbed at a bar in west London, on Sunday, October 11, 2015.

No one was arrested on the night but investigating officers say they need to “urgently speak” to O’Brien, who is described as a white man, 6ft tall and of muscular build.

According to The Guardian, the day after the attack, O’Brien, who has links to Kent, was spotted in Camber Sands in East Sussex.

Then on Tuesday, October 13, he was seen in Ashford, at the Designer Outlet Centre, in Kimberley Way, buying clothes.

The national newspaper says after that, O’Brien’s trail runs cold.

Officers say by now, he could be anywhere in the county.

Det Ch Insp Noel McHugh, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “We are very keen to speak to Shane O’Brien as part of our ongoing inquiries and we believe he could be anywhere in the UK.

“I would appeal directly to O’Brien to contact us, or ask that anyone who has seen him or who knows where he is to contact us as well.

“I do believe someone out there will know where he is.

“A substantial reward is now on offer to anyone with information that leads to O’Brien’s arrest and prosecution and we hope this will encourage someone to come forward.”

"Josh had everything to live for and when he went out that Saturday night, no one could have imagined what would happen to him." Det Ch Insp McHugh

Mr Hanson, from Kingsbury, in north west London, was in the RE Bar, in Eastcote, with his girlfriend, friend and cousin when he was fatally wounded.

The seemingly unprovoked attack is said to have happened in front of 40 horrified onlookers and was captured on CCTV, which has been watched repeatedly by the Met’s homicide team.

His killer quickly fled the bar before police and paramedics arrived, and Mr Hanson was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as haemorrhage, inhalation of blood and an incised wound to the neck.

Mr McHugh added: “Josh was a hard-working young lad, up at 5am for his job as a roads planner and often working seven days a week.

"He had everything to live for and when he went out that Saturday night, no one could have imagined what would happen to him.

“His family is in pieces.”

Speaking to The Guardian, Mr Hanson's heartbroken mum, Tracey, said she has printed thousands of posters featuring O'Brien's photo, and pinned them up all over the world, in a bid to help police find him.

She said: “It’s really hard looking at somebody who the police would like to speak to. The police have assured us that the hard work we’ve been carrying out, they’re getting good responses. We won’t stop doing that.”

One man has already been arrested in connection with the case. On October 28, police arrested a 24 year old on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender. He has been since been bailed.

If you have seen O’Brien or know where he is, you should call 999, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Police advise that he is not approached.