A body found on the bank of the River Medway yesterday has been confirmed by police as that of a missing kayaker.

Emergency crews were called after the family of a 46-year-old man from London, who works in Medway, reported him missing at about 10.15pm on Tuesday.

His body was found on the riverbank near The Esplanade in Rochester yesterday morning.

Scroll down for video

A spokesman said: "This morning the body of a man found on the riverbank near the Esplanade in Rochester was formally identified.

"Officers have now confirmed that the body is that of a 46-year-old man reported missing after he was believed to have gone kayaking on the River Medway, on Tuesday.

"The death is not currently being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

VIDEO: A body has been found in the River Medway

The search was mobilised after an empty kayak seen drifting in the River Medway was reported to the Coastguard.

The missing man's car was later found parked in Lower Upnor near the river.

Police say he is thought to have used his kayak on the water after leaving work.

Shortly after emergency services were alerted, the Sheerness inshore lifeboat was the first on the scene and discovered the empty boat.

The Medway coastguard rescue team joined the hunt along with the police helicopter and the coastguard helicopter, which was scrambled from Lydd.

Police and volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue focused their operation on a stretch from Rochester to Kingsnorth Power Station near Gool, before extending the search to Borstal.

A police spokesman said earlier: "The UK Coastguard has been co-ordinating an intensive search of the river and estuary from Rochester to Kingsnorth Power Station involving the coastguard team, helicopters and lifeboats.

VIDEO: Police have confirmed a body has been found.

"The police helicopter was also sent to help with the search."