A MURDER investigation launched after a man’s body was found on Southampton Common was set to resume today.

Officers sealed off a small area of woodland between Cemetery Road and the Hawthorns urban wildlife centre after the body was discovered on Saturday evening.

Forensic officers spent all day yesterday examining the murder scene and were due to return today to continue their investigation.

The body is thought to be that a 66-year-old Southampton man who had not been seen since 6.30am on Thursday. It has not been formally identified but the man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police say seven people - six men and a woman - have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Following the discovery of the body police sealed off some of the parking spaces along the northern side of Cemetery Road, plus a neighbouring piece of woodland.

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Metal barriers were placed across several paths leading into the woodland to keep people away from the crime scene and preserve any forensic evidence.

Cemetery Road remained open to the public and was used by a large number of people taking part in the annual Poppy Run staged on the Common in aid of the Royal British Legion.

Many of the 600 runners glanced at the police activity taking place in the woods as they walked to and from the event.

But at least two stopped beside one of the police vans after noticing that a poster appealing for witnesses had been placed on the dashboard.

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Children could be seen using a nearby play area, seemingly unaware of the drama unfolding a short distance away.

A man staying with his parents, who live near the Common, said: "I come from London and you get used to this sort of thing up there.

"I noticed the woodland was taped off and when I went around the corner I saw the police vehicles. It looked quite dramatic."

Another passer-by added: "There seem to have been quite a few murders in Southampton in the past few months. It's rather worrying that we've had another one, especially so soon after the death of Lucy McHugh."

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A thick band of trees separates Cemetery Road from homes in Northlands Road and residents are unlikely to have seen anything suspicious on Saturday evening.

The area was the scene of intense police activity for most of yesterday, with cars coming and going at regular intervals as officers investigated the killing.

Police could be seen near a white forensic tent covering the spot where the body was found.

But the tent was largely hidden by trees and dense undergrowth, which meant little of the investigation was visible from surrounding roads and paths.

At one stage two forensic officers walked into the woods carrying clear plastic sacks full of items they needed to conduct their investigation. A few minutes later the cordon was extended by a few feet to include the white vans in which the officers had arrived.

Last night two uniformed officers could be seen searching undergrowth on the opposite side of Cemetery Road.

A private ambulance owned by Jonathan Terry Funeral Directors arrived at 4.15pm to remove the victim's body. The silver-coloured vehicle reversed into a parking space between two police vans and left about 15 minutes later.

Six men aged 36, 34, 24, 20, 23 and 25 and a 31-year-old woman - all from Southampton - have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A police spokesman said: "Officers have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a man’s body near Cemetery Road.

"On Friday an investigation was commenced into the sudden disappearance of a 66-year-old man from Southampton who had not been seen since 6.30am on Thursday. On Saturday evening officers located a body, believed to be this man."

Detectives are appealing for witnesses.

Det Chief Inspector Dave Morgan said: “We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Cemetery Road and who may have seen something unusual or suspicious between the early hours of Thursday, from around 12am, and 5pm on Saturday.

“Additionally, we would like hear from anyone who may have information that might assist this investigation.

Ring Hampshire police on 101, quoting Operation Experience or crime reference number 44180412381. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111, where messages can be left anonymously.