Police divers searching the Royal Albert Dock after a man was seen in the water found a body this afternoon.

A police spokesman confirmed that members of the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Support Unit recovered the body of man in his 20s from the river in the E16 area.

The incident is being treated as unexplained at this early stage.

The operation started yesterday close to the Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge when officers were joined by paramedics and firefighters from Plaistow at around 8.45pm.

The search was halted during the evening due to light and weather conditions but resumed this morning.

Police believe they know the identity of the man but have yet to formally identify him.

The body was taken to East Ham Mortuary. A post mortem examination will take place in due course.