POLICE officers from across Kent have been drafted in to help in one of Medway's biggest murder hunts.

More than 40 officers were deployed to the murder scene outside The Vineyard pub in Maidstone Road, Rochester, where Marco Schiroli was stabbed to death on New Year's Eve.

Officers clad in black, waterproof military-style uniforms have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries. They have been searching for vital clues but have have not yet found the murder weapon. Some officers were on their hands and knees, painstakingly looking under parked cars.

Mr Schiroli, 29, who died from multiple stab wounds, was a single man with no children. He lived with his Italian mother, Pam Schiroli, in Copperfield Road, Rochester. His brother Steve Schiroli lives in Gillingham.

Friends and neighbours described him as a larger than life character with a great personality. A close friend, who asked not to be named, said: "He was so out-going. A really down-to-earth guy and people really liked him. It just doesn't make sense why someone would kill him for no reason."

Police still want to speak to three men who were seen arguing with Mr Schirolli shortly before the stabbing. One man has been described as white, in his late 30s, early 40s, slim, 6ft, and was wearing a fleece, black leather jacket and blue jeans.

A second man was white, in his 30s, 6ft, heavily built, clean-shaven and wearing a black waist-length jacket, light blue shirt and plain black trousers. The third man was white, in his 30s, 5ft 7ins, stocky and wearing a black Puffa jacket and grey and white Nike trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone 01622 654850.