A BODY found in Paddock Wood on Thursday has been identified as that of missing 50-year-old Christopher Hewitt.

Mr Hewitt, a keen walker, had been missing from the area where he had been staying with relatives, since Saturday, February 7.

West Kent Police said they are not treating the death as suspicious at present.

Police added that they wanted to thank members of the public who had contacted them after an appeal for help in trying to trace Mr Hewitt.