A MAN whose body was found in an oil drum dredged from the Clyde has been named as father-of-two Billy Bates.

Detectives launched a murder hunt after the body of the 43-year-old from Possilpark, Glasgow, was found in the river.

As reported in Saturday's Evening Times, council workers found the partially decomposed body within the drum during a routine cleaning and dredging operation at Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire on Thursday.

Police at the time said the remains could have been in the water for between three and 14 days.

Mr Bates is believed to have been the prime suspect in the killing of barman Thomas Cameron who was shot in Bishopbriggs last month.

Police are thought to have been hunting Mr Bates, who went missing shortly after Mr Cameron was killed.

Detective Superintendent John Riggans, the officer leading the inquiry, said: "Mr Bates was the victim of a sustained and brutal attack and he suffered horrific multiple injuries.

"Although not reported missing to police, he had not been seen by his family for some time.

"We are very keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard from him or who has any information that will help us trace his whereabouts between the end of June and when his body was found on Thursday."

Detectives issued pictures of distinctive rings worn by the victim. One read "Dad" which was given to him as a birthday present from his son William and the other was a present from a former partner.