Detectives investigating a serious sex assault on Christmas Day say the two men wanted in connection with the attack may have left the country.

A woman says she was sexually assaulted in Pencester Court, Dover, at about 4am on December 25.

Earlier Police released CCTV images of a man wearing a Santa hat and his companion, but police now fear they may have left the country.

Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Since our appeal was issued, we have spoken to a number of people who claim to know who these men are.

"We still wish to speak to the pair and are working to locate them as we believe they have information which will assist our investigation.

"If anyone has information about where they may be, we would ask that they contact us. It is thought they may have left the country.

"At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with our investigation."

"I’d like to thank the public for coming forward with that information which has enabled us to potentially identify them."

Anyone able to identify either of the men pictured can contact Kent Police on 01303 289600, quoting crime reference number ZY/41908/14.

Alternatively call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.