PUB-goers have spoken of their shock at discovering the Suffolk Strangler once ran their local.

Serial killer Steve Wright was the manager of the White Horse in Chislehurst in 1989 – 17 years before murdering five prostitutes.

It has been widely reported that he started dating barmaid Sarah Whiteley while working at the pub, and they had a daughter together.

The couple are then said to have moved from the White Horse - now The Lounge - to another pub in Plumstead after just a year.

Diane McCarthy, 67, who lives opposite, said: “It makes you wonder what goes on under your nose. I used to drink in that pub with my husband, but we never knew we were in the company of a future serial killer.”

One man, who did not want to be named, said he held a social group in the pub.

“I used to deal with Wright’s deputy,” he said. “I never had much to do with Wright. I’m thankful that I didn’t now.”

Jeremy Strong, 58, said: “I was a regular in the White Horse but didn’t go in there much when it was taken over and had several managers in quick succession.”

Last week Wright, 49, was told he will never leave jail alive for his six-week killing spree in Ipswich.

He was found guilty of murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29. The naked bodies of the women – who all worked as prostitutes – were found choked or strangled in December 2006.

Prosecutors said Wright, who lived in the red light district, “systematically selected and murdered” them.

Born in Norfolk, he moved to Chislehurst after splitting from second wife Diane Cole, with whom he ran a Norwich pub.

Wright is thought to have split from Sarah Whiteley before their daughter’s first birthday.

uE06E Do you remember Wright or Sarah Whiteley? Phone our news desk on 020 8308 7401.