A dead horse has been washed up on the beach at Ramsgate western undercliff.

It had been in the sea so long that its hooves were the only way of identifying what kind of animal it was.

The horse's remains were removed by Thanet District Council's waste recycling team this morning.

Kent Police spokesman Jon Green said officers had been alerted by a member of the public and had contacted the council about the carcass.

Mr Green said: "We've also alerted the RSPCA. At present it is not a police matter."

A Thanet council spokesman said further investigations were not possible because of the state of the horse.