POLICE are turning to Southampton clubbers in a bid to piece together the final movements of tragic motorway victim Damian Whitfield.

Late tonight, officers on the inquiry, codenamed Operation Northdene, will visit Southampton's Leisure World complex to try to build up a picture of last week's events.

Damian, 21, a university business studies student, had spent the evening clubbing with friends but left following a minor argument outside.

He was last seen alive around 2.15am when he wandered off into the night. Forty-five minutes later he died on the Hamble bridge section of the eastbound M27 when he was struck by a Volks-wagen Polo as he walked along the carriageway.

At least two other vehicles, including a police patrol car, also struck Damian, but two post-mortems confirmed he was killed instantly in the first collision.

The results also revealed the amount of alcohol in his blood would have made Damian three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Police have yet to determine how Damian got from Leisure World to the motorway - a distance of just under seven miles. Posters and leaflets are being distributed in a bid to trace whoever gave him a lift, possibly a taxi driver, friend or stranger.

Police will hand out leaflets at Leisure World tonight hoping to jog clubbers' memories about events a week ago.

Chief Insp Jim Bettley, leading the investigation, said: "We still have no idea how Damian got to be on the bridge over the Hamble.

"We are appealing for taxi drivers and members of the public who gave a lift to a young man in the early hours of Sunday morning on that stretch of the motorway to contact us - any information could be vital."

Call the Operation Northdene team on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111 if anyone can help.

* Two young women seen having a minor disagreement with Damian outside Leisure World have now been traced and interviewed by police following an appeal in the Daily Echo.