A MURDER investigation has been launched after a disabled man was found dead in his home.

Nigel Stemp, 54, was pronounced dead at the scene in Longbury Drive, St Paul's Cray, at 8.15pm on Tuesday.

A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as multiple facial and head injuries.

A man in his 30s from the Orpington area arrested on Wednesday in connection with the inquiry is in custody at a south London police station.

The alarm was raised by neighbours who reported not having seen Mr Stemp, who was a single man who lived alone, for some time.

Det Ch Insp Garwood, who is heading the inquiry, said: "Mr Stemp was disabled and walked with a stick, was of small stature and very frail."

Mr Garwood added: "Mr Stemp was a man of good character, and a regular contributor to the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

"He was seen by the SN Team on Sunday, and there are unconfirmed reports of a sighting on Monday afternoon.

"However, we need to confirm a last sighting and to collate as much information as possible on his movements between this time and the discovery of the body on Tuesday evening."

Detectives say they are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry over a possible motive.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 020 8721 4961 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.