by Rachel Dixon

The family of a father-of-four whose body was found at a nature reserve want to thank the person who alerted the emergency services.

Police cordoned off an area of woodland in Berengrave Lane, Rainham, shortly after 9am on Bank Holiday Monday.

The man has now been identified as Sean Rice from Childscroft Road, Rainham.

The 49-year-old worked as a kitchen designer.

His sister, Lisa Beer, has described how the death has been "very hard for the family", coming just 10 weeks after her and Mr Rice's father died.

She saw him for the last time last Wednesday, at his house for his birthday.

Mrs Beer, 45, of Carlton Avenue, Gillingham, said: "I just want to say thank you for alerting the emergency services.

"If they hadn't found him, he could have been there for days.

"We would like whoever it was to come forward.

"I am totally shocked, the family are devastated, we were very close."

The death is being treated as unexplained and police officers are preparing a report for the coroner.