Hundreds of lanterns lit up the sky above Dover last night in touching tribute to a man found dead near a car.

Friends gathered in the town to release the beacons in honour of 30-year-old Michael Kerr as police confirmed he was stabbed to death.

The body of the budding DJ was discovered in Satmar Lane, Capel-le-Ferne, at just after 1pm on Wednesday.

Two young women have been charged with his murder and were remanded in custody when they appeared at Dover Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Alicia Davis, 22, of Milner Crescent, Aylesham, and 21-year-old Charlotte Coulson, of Clarendon Street, Dover, will next appear at crown court.

Kent Police confirmed a post mortem revealed Mr Kerr had been stabbed to death.

More than 2,200 people have now joined a Facebook group to remember Mr Kerr, who lived with his grandparents in King's Ropewalk, in Aycliffe, Dover.

Lanterns soared into the Dover skyline at the event organised on the social networking site at about 8pm yesterday.

More than 700 lanterns were set off, including some from Dover beach.

Friend Sarah King said: "We are strong, no matter what happens we all come together R.I.P Michael.

"We are proud to be a town and that we made this night special for him."

Friends said Mr Kerr, a former pupil at Harbour School, was a "kind and caring gent" who "wouldn't hurt a fly".

It is not known why Mr Kerr was at Capel, although friends said he would always offer a lift to people who needed it.

The two women charged with his murder were arrested soon after his body was found.

Two men also arrested on suspicion of murder were later released by detectives.