KENT Police have launched a murder investigation following the death in hospital of a man involved in a street fight.

The 33-year-old victim, who lived in Ashford, died in a London neurosurgical unit at about 6am on Tuesday.

He had been taken to Ashford's William Harvey Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning following an assault near the bandstand in the town centre. He sustained severe head injuries and was transferred to a hospital in Central London. He has not yet been named.

Police arrested a man who was originally bailed pending further inquiries.

Acting Det Ch Supt Paul Fotheringham said: "This is now a murder inquiry. We want to speak to anyone who was in the town centre between midnight and 1am on Sunday."

He stressed: "They may have important information that can help this investigation."

An incident room has been set up at Ashford Police Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact 01233 619061.