The man trying to fill in a ‘blank canvas’

Beyond that Mr Thorpe - who came to the authorities’ attention last September sleeping rough in Cleethorpes knows nothing, although he thinks he may have connections in Blackpool.

He believes that he is suffering from a rare psychiatric disorder dissociative fugue, which is often connected to some form of traumatic experience and which can lead to memory loss.

A trawl of police and NHS records have drawn a blank, so officers yesterday issued an appeal.

Mr Thorpe, who has declined to give interviews, has been described as “very pleasant” and well-educated, but apprehensive of what information the appeal may bring.

Police said there had been a big response but no breakthrough as yet.

Det Chief Inspector Paul Welton said Mr Thorpe, who has a Yorkshire or Lincolnshire accent, has described himself as a “blank canvas.”

He is now living with the support of a number of agencies.

DCI Welton said: “It’s a new one on mental health services locally, but they are all convinced it is a genuine case and he is genuine in what he is saying. He himself is clearly very nervous about what is going to come of all this. Neither his fingerprints nor DNA is known to police.

“He does not drink alcohol and does not take any form of drugs or medication.

“This is a genuine case of somebody who really does need to the help of the public to return home to his family and his friends.

“Anyone, who thinks they can help this man find out who he is should call Humberside Police as a matter of urgency. We want to all we can to help him but we can’t do that if somebody does not come forward to tell us who he is.”