DETECTIVES are continuing a murder investigation after a 45-year-old man died in hospital after being found collapsed in the street.

The dead man has been named as Walter Greenidge, unemployed, who lived in Auckland Avenue at Ramsgate.

He was found outside the Cherry Orchard public house on the Newington estate at Ramsgate at around 7.40pm on Monday night. An ambulance crew took Mr Greenidge to the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital at Margate where he later died. Kent Police said there had been an incident outside the pub and they were treating the death as murder. They have appealed for witnesses and say they are following a number of leads as part of their investigation. A post mortem examination has yet to be held.

Newington ward district councillor Richard Nicholson said: "Our sympathies go to the man’s family. This type of incident is out of character for the estate, despite the reputation some attribute to the area. There is a good community spirit in Newington and people are shocked."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police. Alternatively you can call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Calls are free and you do not have to give your name.