Human remains have been found on a beach popular with tourists, sparking an emergency response. The grim discovery was made at Westward Ho! beach in Devon at around 9.30am this morning, Thursday, May 22.

A witness claimed they saw a leg washed up on the shore. It's understood that images were briefly shared on social media before being swiftly removed. One individual described the scene as "very graphic". The same witness reported seeing police vehicles and a private ambulance at the location earlier today. The remains have since been taken away from the beach for further examination at a mortuary, according to a police spokesperson, reports Devon Live.

A representative for Devon and Cornwall Police stated: "We were notified at around 9.30am on Thursday 22 May following reports of what appeared to be human remains found at the end of Westward Ho! Beach, Bideford.

"Officers attended and have removed the remains to the mortuary for further examination."