Police investigating the attempted murder of a pensioner during a savage beating at his Cliftonville home have today released a new image of a man they want to trace.

The man pictured in CCTV footage on a bus with Ken Seymour, 76, may have been the last person who saw him before the attack.

Weeks later, Mr Seymour remains seriously ill in a London hospital - still too unwell to talk to detectives about the incident at his Rutland Avenue flat.

He suffered multiple fractures, including to his skull and back, during the attack some time between 3.30pm and 9pm on Saturday, December 14.

Following the assault, described by police as "sustained", he was taken to King's College Hospital where he needed 40 stitches to his face alone.

A CCTV image released by detectives today reveals Mr Seymour talking to a young man on a bus home from Margate earlier that day.

Both men got off at the same stop and headed in the direction of Rutland Avenue together.

Officers want to speak to the man, believed possibly to have been the last person to have seen Mr Seymour before the attack.

Earlier that day, the elderly man had visited the Odd Fellows Club and The Ruby Lounge in Margate before catching a bus from Cecil Square at 3.30pm to the stop outside Tesco in Northdown Road, Cliftonville.

A neighbour at Rutland House heard Mr Seymour's cries for help later that night, following the attack, and raised the alarm.

Police are now renewing their appeal for witnesses to come forward.

DI Richard Vickery, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "This young man seen leaving the bus with Mr Seymour may well be the last person to have seen him before this violent attack and we’re very keen to speak to this man and would urge him or anyone who knows him to contact us immediately."

He added: "We've not been able to speak to Mr Seymour due to the extent of his injuries and as such we have not been able to establish a motive for the attack.

"But what we do know is that entry was not forced to his home so I have to assume that whoever is responsible for this attack either knew Mr Seymour or was invited in."

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have heard anyone talking about an assault, or know of someone returning home with blood-stained clothing.

Anyone with information is urged to phone DI Vickery's team on 01303 289600 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.