A BODY has been discovered in a river in farmland, with police treating the death as “unexplained”.

Police rushed to Shopland Road, Great Wakering, just before 10.30am yesterday, after reports that a body had discovered.

Police have not been able to release the person’s identification at this stage, and the death is being treated as unexplained, until a post mortem is conducted.

The body was found on the edge of the river, on land belong to Tabor Farm.

Charles Taborm, who owns the farmland where the body was found, said somebody who works on the farm had called the police by the time he learnt about what had happened.

He said: “I don’t really know much, a body was found on our farmland, but I was informed by somebody on the farm and they had already called the police.

“I haven’t seen anything, but I haven’t been down to the scene.”

One nearby resident admitted it is quite upsetting to hear about.

Alice McManus, 24, of nearby Sutton Road, said: “It is hugely shocking news and quite upsetting to hear about, especially so close by.

“There does not seem to be much of a police presence, I don’t know if they are set up right down on the river edge, but I haven’t seen much at all.

“I’d hate to think it had been anything suspicious, it is hugely worrying if this was crime-related in any way. My thoughts go out to the family, losing anyone is hard but in unexplained circumstances it must be terrible, hopefully they get the answers they need to come to terms with this dreadful incident.”

The body has been retrieved by police, and a post mortem will now be conducted ahead of an inquest.

A police spokesman said: “We were contacted at 10.25am on Wednesday, with reports a body had been found in a river in Shopland Road, Great Wakering. The death is currently being treated as unexplained.”