A fire and rescue service operation in Margate was involved in cutting away a window and doorways at a house in Margate on Thursday to remove the body of man described as “very overweight”.

The alarm was raised shortly after midnight following concerns for the health of a man in his 50s who had not been seen around his Hatfeild Road address for a couple of days.

A police spokesman confirmed that officers found a body at the flat and that the assistance of the fire and rescue service was critical in removing it from the property.

Fire crews removed two doors and a window to enable the removal of the body via a specialist height vehicle at the front of the building.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a post mortem examination will be held.

Thanet councillor Iris Johnston lives nearby. She said: “The man was quite a character and was well-known around the area.

“My husband Michael was woken by noise in the road outside the house around 4.30am and saw a main operation underway involving police, fire service and ambulance service.

“He was very impressed with the diginified way that the emergency services handled the whole matter.”

The man’s body was finally taken away from the house shortly before 8.30am.