Police rushed to the Lamb and Lion pub in Westcliff, Essex, amid reports a man had been assaulted on Friday evening.

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Paramedics tried to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene on Station Road.

Witnesses said armed cops swooped on the packed boozer at about 6.40pm.

Cops arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of murder a short time later more than a mile away in Pier Hill.

He remains in custody.

The pub has been cordoned off by police as forensic officers inspect the scene.

Cops do not believe there is further risk to the wider public.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “My thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family in what will be a very difficult time.

“Our investigation is in its early stages and we are still working to establish the circumstances which led up to the incident.

“The victim was assaulted inside a busy pub at a time where there would have been lots of people around and would have seen what happened.

“I need anyone who was at the pub saw the incident or what led up to it to contact us.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Essex Police, quoting incident 1076 of 23 December, or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.