A woman was found dead following a major search this morning.

Police and the Coastguard were called to Margate seafront around 3am to reports of a missing person.

A helicopter and boats are said to have scoured the shoreline while police searched the area on foot.

Around 6am, the woman's body was found on the seafront.

A resident old KentOnline: "There was the search and rescue helicopter over the main sands and Nayland rock area, with two boats in the sea searching from Nayland rock to the harbour.

"Then there were plenty of foot police searching with torches along the promenade/marine drive up to the Victorian shelter and friends statue to Nayland rock."

A police spokesman said there didn't appear to be any suspicious circumstances and the matter would be passed to the coroner.

Read more: All the latest news from Margate