An alleged serial killer accused of murdering young gay men he met online and then dumping their bodies in churchyards has had his trial pushed back.

The alleged victims include 21-year-old former Dartford Grammar student Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, who was found near the churchyard of St Margaret's Church in North Street, Barking, on September 20 2014.

Daniel, an aspiring chef, worked at Reynolds Fitness Spa, which has branches in Sittingbourne, Rainham and Sevenoaks.

He posted on social media only six days before his body was found, tweeting about going apple picking in Jeskyns Park, Gravesend.

Stephen Port, 40, has been charged with four counts of murder - with some of the bodies found near a churchyard and one found near some abbey ruins.

He was remanded in custody and appeared at Kingston Crown Court today (Friday) for a plea and case management hearing, but it was pushed back until April 15 and a provisional trial date set for October 4.

It is claimed Port poisoned his victims after meeting them on gay websites.

Port is said to have struck first in June last year, when a 23-year-old fashion student was found dead close to his home in Cooke Street, Barking.

The spree allegedly came to an end when he was arrested following the discovery of a dead 25-year-old man in the ruins of Barking Abbey ruin last month.

It is alleged he drugged the victims with GHB, gammahydroxybutrate, also known as liquid ecstasy, which causes euphoria followed by drowsiness.

Port appeared at the Old Bailey today charged the four counts of murder and four counts of administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH).

In the early hours of June 19 last year aspiring fashion designer Anthony Patrick Walgate was found unresponsive on Cooke Street, close to Port's home.

The Middlesex University fashion student, who came from Hull but lived in Barking, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4am.

Then, on August 28 last year, a dog walker discovered a man's corpse in the grounds of St Margaret's Church on North Street, Barking.

Police later identified the body as Gabriel Kovari, a 22-year-old Slovakian living in Deptford, south east London.

Less than a month later the same dog walker, who has not been named, discovered a second corpse near the churchyard.

The body was identified as Mr Whitworth.

Port was arrested after the discovery of a man's remains near the Abbey Ruins, close to North Street, Barking, on September 14 this year.

The body was identified as Jack Taylor, a 25-year-old forklift truck driver from Dagenham, east London.

Officers from the Met's Homicide and Major a Crime Command linked the deaths on October 14, an earlier court heard.

Port stands charged with murder and poisoning offences under laws dating back to 1861.

People who knew Mr Whitworth have posted tributes on Facebook with former classmates and teachers paying their respects.

Amanda Ormond said: “Dan was a student of mine who was destined to have a bright future. He had his demons but was brave enough to get the support of others to get through.

"I am devastated to hear this news, I'm heartbroken as are my colleagues from when he attended The Phoenix Centre."

Toni Ives said: “Me and Dan ended up being best friends meeting at The Granby when we were homeless.

"He was my rock for two years, I wouldn’t have made it out without him. I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’ll never forget him.”