A MURDER investigation was launched today after a man was found stabbed to death near a town centre pub.

The body of 34-year-old Scott Upton was found next to the White Horse public house on the corner of Rainham High Street and Station Road at about 4.30am on Thursday. Police said he had suffered multiple stab wounds.

The body of Mr Upton, who comes from the Gillingham area, was found by a passer-by at the back of the pub car park near a construction site. A new medical centre for the Medway Primary Care Trust is being built next to the pub.

Forensic officers have carried out a fingertip search of the scene and officers were there for most of Thursday.

The man leading the murder hunt, Det Ch Insp Mick Judge, said: “Mr Upton was last seen at around midnight in Station Road.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen him in Station Road or in the High Street, or who noticed anything suspicious or unusual on Wednesday night and early on Thursday morning to get in touch with us.

“We will be talking to people who were in the White Horse pub but we are not at this stage connecting his death with anything that took place inside the pub that evening.”

Detetives are studying CCTV of the area in the search for clues to the killer or killers.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the murder incident room hotline on 01622 654850.Alternatively, people can contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Calls are free, you do not have to give your name and you could be eligible for a cash reward.