FOUR men are in custody after a 44-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Hayes yesterday.

Police have named the victim as Harjit Singh Dulai, of Uxbridge, though formal identification is yet to take place.

The stabbing happened by the tennis courts in Rosedale Park, off Albion Road.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at about 6.40pm.

The victim was taken to a central London hospital but was pronounced dead at about 8.30pm.

A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be scheduled in due course.

The Homicide and Major Crime Command have launched a murder investigation.

Four men - aged 20, 39, 19 and 28 - have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in custody at various west London police stations.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, who is leading the investigation, said: "At this early stage we understand the victim had attended the venue to meet a person, or persons. We need to establish what happened next.

"Although arrests have been made I would appeal for any witnesses who saw this attack, or the events surrounding the attack, to come forward and speak to police.

"I would also urge anyone who has information that could assist this investigation to contact my officers."

Next of kin have been informed.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8099, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org