MORE than 300 people are expected to attend the funeral tomorrow of a Sheppey man who died in suspicious circumstances.

Roy Rossiter, 24, of Alma Street, Sheerness, died on Christmas Day last year following an attack three days earlier.

Police were called to Clyde Street, Sheerness, after reports of a disturbance between one or more men which left Mr Rossiter unconscious. An ambulance was called but paramedics were unable to resuscitate him. He was taken hospital suffering from serious head injuries and was pronounced dead on Christmas Day.

Mr Rossiter's body has only just been released for burial because of ongoing police inquiries.

A service is due to be held at St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne tomorrow before burial at Sittingbourne Cemetery. Friends from all over the South are expected to attend and several of them are camping on waste ground in Trinity Road, Sheerness, ahead of the funeral.

Keiron Barnes, 23 of no fixed address, has been charged with Mr Rossiter's murder. He was due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on March 17, but the hearing has been postponed while further police inquiries are made.