Forensic teams have been scouring a back garden amid reports human remains may be lying there.

Officers started searching the semi-detached property in Rankine Road, Tunbridge Wells from 7am today.

There are now around six officers excavating the back garden for human remains.

Five police units are also at the scene and a search team is on standby.

News crews have gathered throughout the day, with Sky's helicopter circling above the area and crews from other news networks standing by.

Neighbours have been peering out of their windows and many children still off school have been outside watching the drama as it unfolds.

A number of bins have been brought into the house for the soil to be collected.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are searching the gardens of the house.

It is believed the search at the three-bedroomed semi in Rankine Road on the Sherwood estate relates to a crime committed in the late 1950s.

No-one now living at the address now is connected to the death. They are believed to have left the property while work continues.

Det Insp Lee Whitehead, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "We are today beginning the search at 48 Rankine Road and I do not know at this time how long the search will take.

"We are focusing on this property after receiving information that human remains may be buried in the garden from a possible offence dating back to the late 1950s.

Audio: Reporter Nisha Chopra speaks from the scene of the excavation

"It is important to see whether this piece of information will in fact lead us to a historical crime which was never reported to police at the time."

Officers have had specialist help from the Home Office Scientific Development Branch and from forensic scientists working within the Directorate.

A mobile police station will be sited in Rankine Road during the search.

This will be open during daylight hours for anyone concerned or who has information to give to police.