A pub landlord has been named as the victim of a fatal stabbing.

Tributes have been paid to Matthew Bryant, who ran the Hare and Hounds in Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone, after police and medics were called to the town centre pub last night.

A large cordon was put in place between the roundabout at Staceys Street and the J&S Accessories shop.

A woman, aged in her 50s and known to Mr Bryant, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

Following the tragic death, people have paid respect to the landlord who took over the Hare and Hounds in 2015.

He had been a pub landlord for 25 years and also had long experience as a door supervisor, off and on for 30 years.

One of Matt’s friends at the scene, who didn’t want to be named, described the shock which was left in their group.

He said: “It just hits you. You never expect something like this to happen to your friendship group. He was a great bloke.”

Becky Whitehead commented: “R.I.P Matt. Love and thoughts to the family and friends. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Chris Leach said: “He hadn't got a bad bone in his body. You couldn't help but love him.”

Mark Osborne added: “Matt and Caroline were the best landlords you could ever meet all my thoughts go out to all his family and friends heaven has got a true angel. R.I.P Matt.”

While Daniel Hoggart continued: “Absolute gent you always will be Matt. Rip mate and thinking of you Caroline. I just don’t want to believe this.”

A number of police officers were at the scene last night and were diverting traffic as well as carrying out inquiries. Multiple police vehicles remain outside the pub this morning.

Mr Bryant made headlines in August last year after he rushed to give first aid to father-of-five Andrew Loosely who had been attacked outside the pub.

Mr Loosely, who was the Hare and Hounds' pool team captain, was felled by a single punch and hit his head when he fell.

Speaking at the time, the landlord said: "We put the victim in the recovery position and I stayed on the phone talking to the ambulance service for instructions.

"Fair play to them, they came in five minutes and took over."

Sadly, Mr Loosely died in King's College Hospital five days later. In February, John Gibbs, 19, of Shadoxhurst, near Ashford, was jailed for three years and eight months after admitting manslaughter.