Friends of a missing teenager held a candlelit vigil last night after his family said they were coming to terms with the likelihood he fell into the river.

Ben Savage, 18, did not return home after a night out at Tap N Tin in Chatham last Monday and was reported missing the next day.

He was last seen in the early hours of Tuesday morning on CCTV on Sun Pier, where hundreds gathered yesterday to remember him.

Video: Candles were lit as friends held a vigil for Ben Savage

People placed flowers and candles on the end of the pier from 7pm last night. The glow of light could be seen from the other side of the river.

Coastguard crews who have been involved in the search for Ben were among those who turned up to pay their respects.

After the vigil, one of the people on the Find Ben Facebook page wrote: "I want to say a big thank u to everyone who showed up tonight to respect his friends/family."

Kim Liddle wrote: "I live next to the pier. was heartwarming to see so many people but at the same time heartbreaking."

The touching tribute was organised after Ben’s mother Tara issued a statement on behalf of herself, his father Martin, brother Luke and the rest of their family the previous day.

She said: “Myself, Martin, Luke and the rest of Ben’s family would like to thank the emergency services, coastguard, volunteers and general public for their overwhelming support in the search for Ben.

“After an extensive review of CCTV footage, we are coming to terms with the likelihood that Ben fell in the River Medway during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

“Based on the temperature of the water, the river currents and Ben’s level of consciousness when entering the river, we have to assume that he would have been unable to swim to safety.

“This is a heartbreaking time for everyone and so we, Ben’s family, now ask for some time and space to grieve.

“We would again like to thank the public for their overwhelming efforts searching for Ben. It is now time to hand the search over completely to the coastguard, who continue to work tirelessly searching the river."

Ben, a former pupil at Holmesdale School in Snodland and MidKent College in Maidstone, only turned 18 last month. He had been to the Tap N Tin with a work mate from Nestledown bed factory in Strood.

His family is still appalling for anyone with any information about the hours leading up to Ben’s disappearance to call police on 101 quoting reference 06-0198.