Forensics teams have revealed the results of their investigation into bones found on a beach along the Kent coast.

Between eight and 10 response vehicles arrived at Swalecliffe seafront at 8.15pm on Tuesday after police were alerted to the discovery at about 7pm.

Witnesses first saw several officers combing the beach near Marine Crescent, before they expanded their search to Tankerton.

At the time, police stated that no crimes had been reported and that teams would analyse the bones.

But now a spokesman has announced that the remains discovered on the Whitstable beach are from an animal.

She said: "Following an examination of the recovered bones, it has been confirmed they are not human."

Despite this, she was unable to confirm what type of animal they belonged to.

Police searched of the beach for about an hour on Tuesday, before leaving the scene at 9.10pm.

Residents photographed lines of police cars parked in Marine Crescent as the officers carried out their investigation.

Eyewitness Mark Bolen told the KentOnline that he came across the huge police search while walking through Long Rock.

He said: “Police cars and officers were everywhere searching the beach with large bags going through all the stones.”

Swalecliffe resident Jules Serkin added: “There are loads of police and coastguards with flashing lights.

"Something major must be happening.”

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable