A murder investigation has been launched after police searching for a missing Thamesmead man found a body.

Police investigating the disappearance of Seyed Khan have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Mr Khan, 49, was last seen at his home in Thamesmead at about 5pm on January 24 when he left to go to work at A-Z Carpets in Ilford High Road.

He left the shop to take a call and was not seen or heard from afterwards.

The body of a man was found by police in an Ilford cemetery at 12noon on Thursday (February 1).

Formal identification awaits but Mr Khan's family has been informed.

Detective Inspector Domenica Catino said: “A murder investigation has now been launched after officers searching for Mr Khan found a body.

"His family has been updated. We await formal identification.

“We know that Mr Khan made a phone call at 6.55pm on the High Road in Ilford on the evening he went missing and was not seen afterwards. His car was found in the High Road.

"Whilst we have made an arrest, we would encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact us immediately."

Police are holding the suspect at an east London police station for questioning.