“While we do not have specific information about where Charlie went between 00:10 and 02:40, he had a phone conversation before his death which indicated he may have suffered an assault in the town during that period,” Det Sgt Karen Caulfield said.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anybody who saw Mr Saywell in a fast-food outlet or involved in an altercation in or near to a car.”

She added: “At this stage we are not treating Charlie’s death as suspicious, however, it is important we understand where he visited and what happened to him.”

Mr Saywell was last seen wearing a dark navy-coloured short-sleeved t-shirt, khaki coloured cargo trousers and white trainers.

Charlie’s mother, Victoria Brown, said: ‘If you witnessed my son’s movements during the early hours of that morning and can offer any information, however small, please can you contact Kent Police so our family can have some answers.”