Murder detectives believe as many as five attackers were waiting for new dad George Barker inside a gym before he was brutally stabbed to death.

The 24-year-old, from South Darenth, was found with several knife wounds inside the Double K Gym in Stable Lane, Bexley on Monday.

He died at the scene, just five days after becoming a father.

Police are now appealing for information about his movements before the fatal attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith from the Met Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "George Barker was a regular user of the gym and on the morning of his murder he arrived there around 09:15hrs, and was attacked shortly after.

"Our enquiries so far have led me to believe that there were five men inside the gym [No further descriptions] who were waiting for George Barker to arrive.

"Following the brutal assault on George the men left the gym and I am appealing to anyone who saw the men arriving in Stable Lane prior to the murder, or saw them leaving, to contact the police.

"I would also like to hear from anyone who heard from George over the weekend before his murder. I particularly want to know where George spent the evening of Sunday, 13 November, into Monday and where he was before he arrived at the gym.

"I retain an open mind as to the motive for George's death and urge anyone with information to contact the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers."

Police want to hear from anyone who saw or spoke to Mr Barker, or knows where he was during the weekend before his murder and specifically Sunday evening into the morning of Monday.

Tributes flooded in for Mr Barker in the aftermath of his death, with his grandmother Irene Charlton describing him as "so full of life".

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8345 3985 or 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.