THE body of a girl found washed ashore at a Folkestone beach has been confirmed as a 16-year-old from the Ashford area.

The teenager went missing from the beach near the Rotunda at 2.30pm on Thursday. ay).

A search was sparked involving a Folkestone Coastguard, a rescue plane, helicopter and two lifeboats but called off at 6pm when there was no sign of the girl.

She was last seen swimming toward the pier and her sandals were found on the beach. Her body was recovered just after 10pm.

The identity of the teenager has not yet been released.