Police have confirmed that a body found on the beach at Buckhaven matches the description of a local woman reported missing earlier in the day.
The town was the focus of intense police activity for much of the day after a body was found on the beach in the morning.
A police cordon was set up around the beach near West High Street and the public were kept at a distance.
A white tent was in place over the body which was discovered close to former fishermen’s huts and just off the road that leads to the old harbour.
Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body on the beach near West High Street in Buckhaven and thanked the public for their patience.
A police spokesman confirmed later: “Police can confirm that a body found on the beach at Buckhaven matches the description of a woman reported missing earlier on Thursday. At this stage there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
“Enquiries are continuing and formal identificatrion will be made following contact with next of kin.”
The spokesman said it was not possible to confirm at this time whether the body had been in the water.
Buckhaven residents spoke of their shock.
One man, who asked not to be named, said: “I heard there was a body so I came down but the police are stopping people getting down. It seems to have been found near the rock armour at the top end of the beach.”
A Buckhaven woman, who also asked not to be named, said it was “shocking”.
She said: “I know everyone says this but you don’t expect these things to happen in your town.
“I was in the house minding my own business. It was only when I went on The Courier website and saw the breaking news that I looked out my window and saw a police officer standing at the top of the beach.”
For more, see Friday’s Courier.