A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a man in Maidstone.

Officers were called to a disturbance outside Chaucer House, a block of flats on the corner of Priory Road and Knightrider Street, at around midnight last night.

A man in his 30s had suffered serious injuries and died at the scene. A woman, also in her 30s, was taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be serious.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in police custody, including a 37-year-old man from Croydon, a 17-year-old boy from London, a 27-year-old man from Surrey, a 39-year-old man from London, and 37-year-old man from Maidstone.

The victims and the suspects are known to one another.

A woman who works nearby but did not want to be named saw police outside the flats this morning.

"The road is taped off with police cars at the entrance to the flats. There's a white forensic tent too. Some of our customers live there so we're just hoping that they are okay," she said.

Officers remain at the scene.

Around 10 police officers are in Knightrider Street this afternoon, combing the area and looking in bins and bushes and making door-to-door inquiries.

Kent Police Roads Policing Unit said in a tweet the job had involved the combined efforts of RPU, Kent Police Tactical Operations and others.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident should contact Kent Police on 01303 289600 quoting reference 10-0017. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.