An 18-year-old has been found dead in the sea off Herne Bay after he failed to come home from a night out.

Police rushed to the beach near Hampton Pier just after midday, after reports a young man's body had been pulled from the water.

They were joined by fire and ambulance crews, Herne Bay coastguard, and a search-and-rescue helicopter from Lydd.

But the young man was sadly declared dead at the scene. His family have been informed.

It is thought his loved ones had become concerned as to his whereabouts after he did not return home from a night out last night.

His death is not being linked to the weather conditions.

A police spokesman said: "The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

The incident happened just over 10 miles away from Margate, where a body was sadly found at sea this afternoon, during a major search operation for a man missing from a petrol ship.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay