THE body of a man who had been dead for seven months was discovered in a Sheerness flat.

The remains of Paul Vickers, 50, were found by police officers in an upstairs flat at Rule Court, St George's Avenue, Sheerness, on Wednesday, November 3.

The discovery has shocked other residents in the flats, who had been told he had gone to stay with his sister.

One said: "He was quite a nice man. He used to help some of the old neighbours wash their windows."

Mr Vickers had lived in the Swale Housing Association property for about three years, but had lived in Sheerness for about five years.

Police believe he had been dead since April. They say they are not treating the death as suspicious at the moment, but are waiting for the results of a post mortem examination.

Police were called after the tenant living below Mr Vickers' flat noticed a strange smell.

Sylvia Price, who works at the Londis Avenue Food and Wine bar in St George's Avenue, became so concerned she had not seen Mr Vickers, who was one of the shop's regular customers, that she slipped a note under his door.

She said he was known as Pulse Paul, because that was his regular drink.

She said: "The note just said I was a bit worried and gave him my home and work telephone number. We all liked Paul. He was very polite and he was the only customer that ever bought the girls chocolates for Christmas and Easter. He did it every year."

She said Mr Vickers last visited the shop just before Easter. "He did look a bit pale and yellow," she said.

Swale Housing Director Sarah Wright said: "We are always saddened to hear of the death of one of our residents.”

A spokesman from Medway Coroner's Office said an inquest was likely to be opened and adjourned on Thursday.