A person talking on a smartphone just half an hour before a man was brutally attacked in a car park could help murder detectives, it's been revealed.

Police want the phone user and anyone who had contact with victim Tim Clayton, 45, in the days before his death to come forward.

It comes after officers pored through CCTV, which has shown a person walking close to where Mr Clayton was sleeping in the car park of Europa House in Pound Way, Folkestone at 3am on Saturday, November 9.

The indistinct image shows the person using a Smart phone before walking away.

Police also want to speak to those who were in the town late on Friday November 8 into the early hours of Saturday, when Mr Clayton was assaulted.

The father of two was seriously injured at about 3.30am on the Saturday and found five hours later, when emergency services were called.

He died the following day - Remembrance Sunday - in the Royal London Hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham said: "We would like to speak to this person as a potential witness who could have information that they could share.

"We would also like to speak to those who talked to or met with Mr Clayton in the week before he died. They may be able to assist us in piecing together the circumstances that led up to his death.

"My message is – don’t hold back if you had contact with Mr Clayton or were out and about in Folkestone on that Friday night into the Saturday morning. You could have important information that could assist our murder enquiry."

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01303 289600.

• Brian Sharp, 54, of Manor Road, Folkestone has been charged with the murder of Mr Clayton and has been remanded in custody to appear at Canterbury Crown Court at a later date.