THE violent murder of a man whose body was discovered in an oil drum in the River Clyde could be linked to another killing.

The gruesome find was uncovered by workers dredging the water at the mid-way point between Old Kilpatrick and Erskine on Thursday morning.

Dumbarton CID launched the hunt after the partially decomposed body of the man was found around 9.40am.

He has now been named as William Bates, 43, from Possilpark.

Reports have suggested that Mr Bates may have been the prime suspect in another murder, that of Thomas Cameron, who was gunned down in a pub car park on June 28.

Cops leading the investigation say Mr Bates was the victim of a 'sustained and brutal attack' and suffered 'horrific multiple injuries' before he was dumped in the river.

It is believed the dad-of-two could have been in the water for anything up to two weeks before he was uncovered during the routine cleaning of the river.

Mr Bates was identified after the public were shown two distinctive rings - one which had the word the word "DAD" encrusted in small stones and a second square signet ring - which belonged to the victim.

Police say they are not ruling out any lines of inquiry and are seeking help from members of the public to help trace his killers.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room at Maryhill on 0141 532 3700 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.