POLICE investigating the discovery of a woman's body in the front garden of a house in Northfleet now believe there are no suspicious circumstances.

The body was found under conifer trees in Beresford Road yesterday afternoon by a member of the public.

A statement from Kent Police said: “We have good reason to believe the body to be that of a 46-year-old woman from Northfleet who has been missing since April 17.”

Home Office pathologist David Rouse carried out a post mortem on the body at Darent Valley Hospital last night. Results of the tests have still not been revealed.

All of the next of kin are yet to contact police and the body is still to be formally identified.

The discovery was made at a derelict property which had a low garden wall lined by fir trees. It is thought the woman fell into a gap between the wall and the trees. The body was hidden by the trees and foliage.

The coroner, Roger Hatch, has been informed and an inquest will be held.