The body of a man from Deal who has been missing for 81 days is believed to have been found.

Alex Holland vanished from his home in Deal on November 28, 2021.

Tonight, a social media post from a group set up to help find him confirmed he had been found.

It said: "It was confirmed today that a body was found and it was Alex.

"I want to thank everyone that shared the posts. It was really appreciated, but now we have to grieve and come to terms with what has happened. Thank you all."

Since his disappearance Alex's mum Rachel Holland issued heartfelt appeals to the public to help find her son.

In January she told KentOnline: "Things just aren't the same without him around. I feel like a part of me is missing.

"He's on my mind all of the time.

"All I can think of is getting him back. It just never goes away."

Alex, 27, was living back home with his parents after being separated from his wife.

It was on the night of November 28 he popped his head around his parents' bedroom door to ask his dad, Mark Holland, to wake him up in the morning because he had work and the dentist.

He then went outside for a cigarette.

An hour later Mrs Holland, saw that he wasn't in bed but assumed he'd decided to go out.

It wasn't until teatime the next day after repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach him via his mobile, she reported him missing to the police.

He's described as a "devoted dad" to his daughters, aged eight and four.

Kent Police confirmed: "The body was found near Hacklinge shortly after 12.10pm.

"Formal identification has not yet taken place, however, the family of a 27-year-old man from Deal, who was reported missing on Sunday, November 28, have been informed.

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