A MURDER investigation has been launched after a man died on a farm near Blandford.

Dorset Police said officers were called to Hanford Farm, near Child Okeford, at 8.25pm on Friday, September 28, following a report that a 25-year-old local man had sustained serious injuries.

Paramedics were also summoned to the scene and attempted to revive the victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.47pm, Dorset Police said.

The force said its investigation had been hampered by the remote location of the alleged crime.

Hanford Farm is a dairy farm down a narrow track off Duck Street, although it is surrounded by several other properties.

The coroner has been notified and the man’s family has been informed, but he has not yet been formally identified.

Two Shaftesbury men, aged 25 and 27, were initially arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

They were later re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

The two men are now assisting officers with their enquiries.

The three men involved in the case were all known to each other, the force said.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police’s major crime investigation team, said: “We are carrying out a detailed investigation to establish the full circumstances of the death.

“This incident occurred in a relatively remote location but I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything or who has any information that can assist our investigation to contact us.”

A cordon has been put in place around the scene of the incident while crime scene investigators search for evidence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 28:454.

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers service anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org