An investigation into the gruesome find of a body continued today as officials confirmed its head was missing.

A man's body was pulled from the water near Deal pier yesterday morning and it is believed that he had died the same day.

The man has since been identified as in his 60s and from the local area. His next of kin have been informed.

Lifeboat operations manager at Walmer, Denis Brophy said today: “We were called at 10.07am and launched our D-class boat to reports of a body south of the pier.

“We were quickly on the scene and the crew were able to pick up the body and bring it back to the lifeboat station. It was handed into the care of police and the scenes of crime officer.”

Mr Brophy has confirmed the body was headless.

He added: “It was quite traumatic for the three crew members who did an excellent job and acted very professionally."

Emergency services swooped after the discovery. Police, paramedics, coastguards and lifeboat crew remained at the scene some for several hours.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 10.12am on Monday 29 May 2017 following the discovery of a man's body in the water near Deal Pier.

"The man has since been identified and his next of kin have been informed. He was in his 60s and from the local area.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will now be prepared for the coroner."

"The death is not currently being treated as suspicious and enquiries to confirm the man’s identity are ongoing."

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "It's being led by Kent Police. UK Coastguard have been assisting Kent Police with an incident at Deal pier.

"Deal and Langdon Battery coastguard rescue and Walmer RNLI alongside Secamb have been in attendance. We have no further information."