THE family of a 34-year-man whose body has been discovered in woods have described him as someone who would "electrify a room by simply walking into it".

Tom Bourne vanished after leaving his mother's home in Whitstable on Wednesday, August 15. He was scheduled to meet his boss in Croydon that afternoon but did not keep the appointment.

His body was found on Thursday in woods at Crouch, near Borough Green. Police officers had earlier found his vehicle, a white Ford Transit van, in the Borough Green area.

Paying tribute on behalf of the family, Mr Bourne's brother, Chris, said: “We will all desperately miss Tom for the rest of our lives.

"He used to electrify a room by simply walking in and it will take us all a long time to get used to life without our son, husband, father, brother, grandson and dear friend.

"His spirit will live on through us all and we have many, many precious memories and stories that will be passed on to many generations to come. A cliché it may be, but he will certainly never ever be forgotten

“We would like to thank, in particular, the people of Borough Green. For several days we became resident to the area, speaking to people and putting up posters in shops, public houses, restaurants and business in our search for Tom.

"We are truly grateful for the love, support and for all the kind words to us in those early days."

A police spokeswoman said: "A formal identification is expected from dental records later this week after which time an inquest will be opened.