THE body of a man has been found by the side of the River Thames in Northfleet.

A member of the public made the discovery on a small beach at a man-made jetty backing onto The Shore near Crete Hall Road, Northfleet yesterday (May 16) just after 2.30pm.

Police are investigating.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI and SECAMB attended the scene.

However, despite attempts to revive him by the RNLI and ambulance crews, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man has been formally identified as a local man in his late 60s.

Officers are now trying to trace his next of kin.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances although the death is at present unexplained.

The man was white, of a stocky build, about 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, with medium length grey hair and was wearing a royal blue cotton shirt, a navy blue cardigan, a brown jacket, grey trousers and brown shoes.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference number KP-20120516-0780.

Did you see what happened? Call the newsroom on 01689 885702.