The family of Sarah Everard have described her as a "shining example" who was "kind and strong".

The Metropolitan Police said last night that remains had been found in an area of woodland near Great Chart, Ashford, by detectives investigating the 33-year-old's disappearance.

While formal identification awaits, the family said: "Our beautiful daughter Sarah was taken from us and we are appealing for any information that will help to solve this terrible crime.

"Sarah was bright and beautiful - a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.

"She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all. We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives.

"We would like to thank our friends and family for all their support during this awful time and we would especially like to thank Sarah's friends who are working tirelessly to help.

"We are so grateful to the police and would like to thank them for all they are doing. We are now pleading for additional help from the public.

"Please come forward and speak to the police if you have any information. No piece of information is too insignificant. Thank you."

The case sparked an online discussion about the different attitudes men and women have towards personal safety after a male police officer was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder.

Serving Met Police Officer, Wayne Couzens, was arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday and was transferred to hospital earlier after he sustained head injuries in his cell.

Since then police have been given an extension to question him further while a woman who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting and offender has been bailed.

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