Three children have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found dead in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey.

Officers and an air ambulance were called to Warden Bay Road shortly after 19:00 BST on Sunday, following reports of an altercation and a man being assaulted, Kent Police said.

The man, aged in his 40s, sustained serious injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed, the force added.

A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 14 and 15, remain in police custody, pending further inquiries, a police spokesperson said.

A police cordon has been set up in a large clearing behind the beach, in front of a caravan park.

A public footpath to the beach has also been cordoned off by police.

An officer was seen standing guard at a fenced off area of land near the beach on Monday.

Specialist officers brought a police dog to the crime scene as they continued their search for evidence.

One eyewitness, who was on holiday in the area, told the BBC that there were about 100 bystanders as police arrived at the scene on Sunday night.

He said: “I saw the helicopter landing and a lot of police personnel trying to resuscitate someone.

“That was about 19:30 on Sunday and now it is a crime scene.”

Anton Jasnu, who owns a shop in the area, told the BBC he ran out from his shop when he saw someone receiving CPR on the beach of Leysdown-on-Sea, which has a population of just under 1,000 people.

South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed it had also been called to the scene.

Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, said he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic incident”.

Kent Police appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch.