An investigation is under way after the badly decomposed body of a man was found in a ditch in Ramsgate.

The grim discovery was made by a rough sleeper at around 6.20pm Monday at the base of cliffs near the old Hoverport site by Pegwell Bay, off the A256 Sandwich Road.

A police spokesman said: "It has been established it is the body of a man, believed to be middle aged, and may have been there for some time."

Police know the man was not local to the area but his identity is not yet known.

A coastguard team helped cut through deep undergrowth to get to the body.

Forensic officers have been at the scene on Tuesday morning.