Officers searching for missing 15-year-old Kayleigh Haywood have discovered a body in a field.

The discovery was made shortly after 10pm on Wednesday night.

Formal identification has not taken place, but the family of Kayleigh have been informed of the discovery.

The news came as officers widened the search to include an area of agricultural land 10 miles away from her home.

Kayleigh, 15, was missing since being dropped off in Ibstock, Leicestershire, on Friday.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Sandall, Head of Crime at Leicestershire Police, said earlier today: "We have become increasingly concerned for Kayleigh's safety as the hours have passed since she was dropped off by her dad on Friday evening.

"Five days on, we've heard nothing from her and this is completely out of character.

"Since we started looking for her we have found her mobile phone in Melbourne Road, Ibstock and items of clothing which we believe are hers in the Ibstock and Diseworth areas.

"In all the circumstances, we fear the worst and have told her family to prepare themselves that we are now treating her disappearance as a murder inquiry.

"We have searched several locations including Sence Valley Forest Park in the Ibstock area looking for her. This is a considerable expanse of land.

"The park has been cordoned off and is likely to remain so for some days yet while we conduct a thorough search of the area looking for her.

"A number of other locations are currently being searched, including an area in Belton and Diseworth."

Kayleigh's parents, Stephanie Haywood and Martin Whitby, also appealed for anyone with information about their daughter's whereabouts to contact the police.

Officers arrested two men - aged 27 and 28 - on Monday morning in connection with the inquiry.

PA Media