Body find is missing man

Police have confirmed that a body found following a search of woodland belongs to a man missing for three weeks.

Mr Minchell had disappeared from the Sevenoaks area on 28 August.

His body was discovered on Sunday after a dog search operation by a team of police and volunteers in woodland near the A21.

The find was made in an area between the Gracious Lane and Hubbard's Hill bridges.

'Great loss'

A spokesman for Kent Police said Mr Minchell's death was not being treated as suspicious, but an inquest would be held.

Mr Minchell's brother, Dennis Minchell, made a statement on behalf of the family.

He said: "Alan's death is a great loss to us, but as a family we are pleased that at last we know where he is and can now grieve for him.

"We would like to express our most sincere thanks to members of the public who responded to the appeal for information about Alan and to the police and volunteer searchers who helped find him."