A MURDER investigation has been launched after a man was stabbed to death in the early hours of this morning, Saturday, following a row with a group of scrambler riders.

A 29-year-old man was fatally attacked on Market Place in Prescot at 12.40am. He was with three friends after leaving a nearby pub.

They became involved in an argument with a number of people on a large scrambler-style motorbike, say police.

The victim was then stabbed with an unknown object causing him to fall to the ground.

The offender or offenders then rode off in the direction of Tesco supermarket in Prescot.

First aid was performed on him at the scene before he was rushed to Whiston Hospital for emergency surgery.

He died shortly after 2am.

Crime scene investigators are carrying out forensic work and CCTV is being monitored with anyone with any information being urged to contact the police.

They are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen a large, green scrambler-type motorbike in Prescot at the time.

Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke said: “This was a horrific and senseless attack on a young man who had been walking home from a night out in a local pub with his friends.

"He has become involved in some sort of argument with the rider or riders of a motorbike which was on a pedestrianised area of Market Place.

"Tragically, during this dispute a weapon has been used and the victim has been stabbed once resulting in catastrophic injuries.

"Police officers, paramedics and by-standers have done everything they could to save his life and he was rushed to hospital but sadly he has passed away despite the efforts of medics.

"His family have been informed and are understandably devastated and we are providing whatever support we can to them at this awful time.

“We have now launched a major investigation involving specialist officers and staff around the force to do everything in our power to catch the person or people responsible.

"We will not stop until we catch them and I am calling on the public to help us bring this man’s killer or killers to justice.

"I need to hear from anyone who can help us identify the people on board a large, green, scrambler-style motorbike that was seen in the Prescot area at the time of this incident.

“Can you tell us where this vehicle was being ridden earlier in the evening?

"Can you tell us where it went to after the murder?

"Can you tell us where a bike like this may be now and who it belongs to?

"If you know anything at all that could help us in this murder investigation, please do the right thing and come forward.

"The people responsible for this need to know that we will not stop until we have caught them.

"They should search their consequences and think about what they have done and hand themselves in now as we will catch them in the end.”

The stabbing has provoked shock among residents.

One person said: "It is just terrible. There are so many stabbings going on in the area at the moment."

Another one added: "Something needs to be done about the amount of these type of incidents which include knife crime."

If you have any information about the incident contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.