A body has been found in a stretch of the River Thames in central London.

Officers were called to Millbank Pier near Westminster at 10.10am on Thursday morning to reports of a body in the water.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, was pulled from the water between Lambeth Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge.

Efforts to trace the man’s next-of-kin are ongoing.

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into his death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 10.11am on Thursday, November 12 to reports of a body in the River Thames near Millbank Pier. Officers attended the scene with the London Ambulance Service.

““The body of a man, believed to be in his 40s, was recovered from the water and enquiries are ongoing to trace his next-of-kin. The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 2134/12NOV.”

The London Ambulance Service was also in attendance.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 10.07am today (Thursday November 12) to reports of a person in the water by Millbank Pier. We sent an ambulance crew and a paramedic in a fast response car.

“Sadly, a body was found at the scene.”