A man's body has been found at the bottom of cliffs near Dover this afternoon.

It was located after an air and sea search took place this afternoon, close to South Foreland lighthouse.

A coastguard helicopter was spotted flying between Dover and St Margaret's Bay.

Police spokesman Steve Knight said: "Kent Police was called at 3.20pm following the discovery of a body of a man near the bottom of the cliffs on St Margaret’s Bay, Dover.

"The body has been recovered by the coastguard and inquiries are ongoing to establish the man’s identity and the circumstances leading up to his death."

Dover's RNLI lifeboat launched at 3.43pm to join the operation and a Border Force vessel was also thought to be involved.

Police have also been seen taking pictures of the clifftop near the lighthouse.