An area of Canterbury city centre was sealed off by police after a body was found.

Officers were called to the public toilets in Tower Way near the Westgate Towers at 6.20pm yesterday, after concerns were raised about a man's welfare.

When they arrived, the man aged in his 40s was already dead. They are not treating the death as suspicious.

Officers taped off the area while they dealt with the incident, and residents were told to stay in their homes.

Spokesman Glenn Pearson said: "Kent Police was called at 6.20pm to a report of concern for welfare in Canterbury.

"Officers attended the public toilets on Tower Way following the discovery of a man's body.

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

As the drama unfolded, people living nearby took to social networking sites to speak of their shock.

One reported seeing ambulance crews working to revive the victim, while others said they saw the body being covered up.

Inderpal S. Lehal posted on Twitter: “Police sectioning off town centre, just walked past a dead body! What the hell is happening to Canterbury!!!!???”

Olivia Austin said: “Not sure what happened, drove by and saw a body on the pavement outside the toilets with a blanket over.”

Beth Clarke added: “So many emergency services outside my house, everything cordoned off, can't leave my house.”