Body found in sea search for 10-year-old

Rescue teams searching for a missing 10-year-old girl who disappeared after playing in the sea found a body today.

Stella Akanbi, from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, vanished after entering the water with a friend, also aged 10, on a beach in Clacton, Essex, yesterday.

Thames Coastguard said the body was believed to be Stella's but formal identification was yet to take place.

A spokeswoman said: "At 3.45 a police helicopter located what is believed to be the missing child. All units will now be standing down.

"This is such a sad moment for all rescue workers when a child is involved and finally located."

Thames Coastguard watch manager Aimee Rampton said: "We feel deeply sorry for the family at this time and our sympathies are with Stella's parents.

"We would like to thank the general public for their help and assistance in this very sad matter."