A large group of police officers are scouring fields and woodland on the outskirts of a sleepy Kent village.

The operation began at 10am in Eastling, south of Faversham.

Pictures from this morning show about 20 officers - holding search equipment - walking along village roads as they head towards the woods.

The area being combed is about 200 metres from the village church.

Brian Flynn, a parish councillor at nearby Ospringe, saw the large group of officers head out to the search site this morning.

"There were about 20 to 30 police officers," he said.

"They all began heading out there at 10am."

Having arrived in bulk this morning, more groups have since turned up to assist in the operation.

Police have confirmed the operation revolves around the search for missing man John Macklin.

The 43-year-old, who is from Eastling, was last seen on Monday, September 26.

CCTV images of Mr Macklin were released by police at the weekend as they upped efforts to locate him.

Chief inspector Mark Hedges said: "We are concerned for his welfare and are urging anybody who sees him or knows of his whereabouts to contact us."

Mr Macklin was last seen wearing a grey hooded top, dark blue jeans, a pair of black Nike trainers and a navy blue waterproof jacket.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 101 quoting 26-0269.