A REWARD of £10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Shane O'Brien, who police are seeking in connection with the murder of Josh Hanson in an Eastcote bar.

The 21-year-old, of Kingsbury, died after being wounded in the neck at the RE Bar in Field End Road in the early hours of Sunday October 11.

Mum Tracey Hanson described her son, who worked as a roads planner, as "always smiling and laughing", and appealed for help to find his killer.

She said: "Josh was a son that any mother would wish for.

"He was a hard-working man who provided for his family. He was also carving out a promising career for himself. He had already made plans to see more of the world next year."

She added: "He made everyone laugh with his upbeat approach to life.

"For all those who met him they only had good things to say and this is being reflected in the offers of condolence to myself, his friends and family.

"Please, if you know anything, come forward and tell the police who committed this horrific murder and inform them of their whereabouts."

A national manhunt was launched three days after his death to find Mr O'Brien, 27, of Ladbroke Grove.

Officers say he should not be approached by members of the public.

He has links to the Ruislip area, but could be anywhere in the country.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC), said on Wednesday: "We are very keen to speak to Shane O'Brien as part of our ongoing enquiries and we believe he could be anywhere in the UK.

"I would appeal directly to O'Brien to contact us, or ask that anyone who has seen him or who knows where he is to contact us as well. I do believe someone out there will know where he is.

"A substantial reward is now on offer to anyone with information that leads to O'Brien's arrest and prosecution and we hope this will encourage someone to come forward."

Mr O'Brien is described as a white man, 6ft tall and of muscular build. Any sightings of him should be reported to police immediately on 999.

Yesterday morning a man flying into the UK was arrested on arrival at the airport, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender in relation to Mr Hanson's murder.

The 24-year-old was arrested at Gatwick by detectives from the Met's HMCC.

He was taken to a London police station and bailed to a date in mid-November.

Anyone with information about Mr O'Brien's whereabouts can call the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org