A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of the 54-year-old woman in Kent (Picture: PA)

Police have discovered a body during a search for a woman who went missing while walking her dog- after arresting a man in connection with her murder.

Claire Knights, 54, from Upstreet near Canterbury, was last seen in the village on 23 August.

She vanished while walking her white and brown spaniel, and her car was later found in a nearby village.

Earlier this morning, officers confirmed that a woman was found deceased near Minnis Bay in Birchington – where Ms Knights was walking to.

The body has not yet been formally identified, but her family has been informed.

Kent Police said in a statement: ‘Officers have attended a location near Minnis Bay, Birchington where a woman was found deceased. Kent Police was alerted by a member of the public shortly after 7pm on Friday 25 August 2023 and patrols are currently at the scene.

‘Formal identification has not yet taken place, however, the family of a 54-year-old woman reported missing from Upstreet on Wednesday 23 August are aware.

‘The death is being treated as suspicious and on Thursday 24 August, a man in his 20s from Margate was arrested on suspicion of murder.

‘There will be an increased police presence in the area while investigations into the circumstances are underway.’

Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.

54-year-old Claire Knights went missing during a dog walk in a village near Canterbury.