A search was launched by coastguard and police after reports of a man near the waters edge.

Sussex Police had a report of a "male near the sea" on Brighton Beach at 3am this morning.

The man had been spotted near the waters edge and teams from Shoreham Coastguard were paged to sweep the area while officers carried out a foot search on the shore.

No trace was found and "no new information" was discovered so the search was stood down.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said it was possible the man may have been initially been spotted exited to the water.