Police were called after the body of a man was found near a children’s play park.

The tragic discovery was made in a grassy area between Vauxhall Road and Broad Oak Road in Canterbury.

KentOnline understands the body was first spotted by canoers on the adjacent Stour River, and reported to police at about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

The force has confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious, but officers have yet to locate any of his family members.

Nearby resident Katie Keyte, 38, described the shock she felt when she learned a body had been found.

“We saw three police cars go by with flashing lights on so me and a few neighbours came out to see what it was all about,” said the mother-of-four.

“An officer told us that they had found a dead body.

“They said the man was around 50 years old, about 5ft 4ins in height, with dark hair and tattoos.

“It was quite shocking really, because it was right by the children’s play park, on the banks of the river where some of the local lads sometimes fish.”

A police spokesperson added: “Kent Police was called at 1.35pm on Wednesday following a report that the body of a man had been seen near Broad Oak Road, Canterbury.

“Officers attended and the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“His identity has since been established and enquiries are ongoing to locate his next of kin.

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