Residents in a sleepy village spoke of their shock after a man’s body was found with multiple stab wounds.

Detectives were yesterday combing the isolated, rural location looking for clues after the death of a 45-year-old man.

The Romanian nursery worker, who was living and working at the plant nursery, in Second Avenue, Almodington, near Chichester, was stabbed several times late on Christmas Day.

Police immediately launched a murder investigation.

Officers are believed to have removed several objects from the area.

Residents in the tiny hamlet of Almodington yesterday spoke to The Argus following the second serious crime to affect the area in the space of five years.

Five years ago, Jacky Marshall, who lived in First Avenue, was killed after being stabbed several times at McDonald’s in Chichester, where she worked.

Barry Hall, who lived directly between the two addresses said: “Jacky Marshall lived less than quarter of a mile away. It seems like such a nice, peaceful place, but we have had two serious incidents which have affected us in just a few years.

“You really wouldn’t expect it around here."

The victim, who has not yet been formally identified by police, is believed to have been living in a caravan at the nursery on the Batchmere Estate.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the man’s death.

Sussex Police were yesterday granted an extension to hold him in custody on suspicion of murder for a further 36 hours.

Officers were still searching the area near where the victim was found, at about 12.20am on Boxing Day.

The village has several plant nurseries.

Anyone with information about the man's death is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Boarden.