A body has been found in the search for a man missing from a ship off the Kent coast.

A major search was launched after the man was reported missing from a petrol tanker near Margate, at about 5.40am.

The man, whose age has not been confirmed, was reported missing from a petroleum gas tanker at the Margate Roads anchorage.

Speaking earlier today, Margate Lifeboat spokesman Peter Barker said: "The ship reported him unaccounted for. They couldn't find for him on board the ship so they did a search of the ship, and when they couldn't find him they telephoned the coastguard."

The coastguard helicopter scoured the seas for more than eight hours, along with a number of boats from the coastguard, police and RNLI, and the Royal Navy's warship HMS Westminster.

But the search has now been called off, after a body was sadly found in the water by RNLI Margate.

A coastguard spokesman said: "A call, reporting a possible man overboard, came in from a boat off Margate Harbour at around 5.41am.

"A coastguard helicopter from Lydd, a coastguard rescue team from Margate, RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate and Margate, a Kent police rigid hull inflatable boat, and a Royal Navy vessel were all involved in the search, which was carried out in very rough seas and challenging conditions.

"At around 1pm, after many hours of searching, a body was sadly found in the water by the RNLI Margate lifeboat and was brought to shore."

Police are carrying out enquiries to establish the identity of the man, and inform his next of kin.

Sea conditions have been particularly challenging today, as Storm Dennis brings high winds and rain to the county.

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