A man's body was recovered from the River Medway on New Year's Day after a rescue effort, police have confirmed.

Police were called at 9.35am on Friday, January 1, to a report of a person seen in the river at Rochester.

Officers along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Coastguard attended the Esplanade area and the man was lifted from the water.

His death is being treated as unexplained at this stage and a report has been completed for the Coroner.

Initial reports from the coastguard suggested the man had been rescued and passed into the care of ambulance crews.

The deceased was from the Herne Bay area, and his next of kin have been informed.

The incident came before a second man was found deceased in the river yesterday next to Chatham's B&M Bargains store.

Read more: all the latest news from Medway.