Police have identified the body of a man which was pulled from a river close to a derelict nightclub.

The family of the unnamed 50 year-old have been informed after the sad discovery this morning (Sunday).

Crowds gathered from 9.30am in the East Hill and Mace Lane area of Ashford and saw what looked like a body under a white blanket retrieved from the water at 10.45am.

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Samantha Williams, a reporter for Kent Online's sister paper the Kentish Express, headed to the scene near the former Liquid and Envy nightclub this morning.

She said: "The body was brought from the water and wrapped in a blanket.

"The divers then checked the river on the other side of the road."

She was alerted to the incident by a caller. When she arrived, the area was packed with three ambulances, Kent Fire and Rescue Service's water safety unit, a fire appliance and lots of police.

Before the find was confirmed, she reported that officers were looking in the water where two divers carried out a search.

VIDEO: Body found in water near derelict nightclub

At 10.30am they lowered an inflatable onto the water.

Crowds gathered as soon as the news broke and the road is cordoned off at East Hill.

An eye witness said: "We came down East Hill and someone said there might be a body in the river caught in the tree. Doesn't seem like they can get it out."

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 9.34am on Sunday 21 February following the discovery of a man’s body in the water at East Hill, Ashford.

"The man has now been identified as a 50-year-old from the local area and his next of kin have been informed.

"Officers are not currently treating the death as suspicious but enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.

"The road is now open but police remain at the scene."

For most of the day forensic officers searched the car park behind the nightclub, formerly the Flour Mills, as well as the river bank.

North Park, which is on the opposite side of Mace Lane, was also cordoned off by police, but has now re-opened.

At the time the witness said: "Forensics are on scene and have entered the river, searching part of the bank which has recently been renovated.

"Forensics also paid attention to an area in the car park close to a blue car."

The only section that remains cordoned off is the old night club and its car park. At 4.20pm two officers remained, watching over it.