A BODY was found drifting in the sea yesterday.

Eastbourne inshore lifeboat launched yesterday afternoon after a body was spotted by a member of the public drifting off Beachy Head An Eastbourne RNLI spokesman said: “The volunteer crew of Eastbourne’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) were requested to launch at 3.20pm after a member of the public reported to Dover Coastguard that a body was seen floating 500 yards off Beachy Head in the strong spring tide.

“The ILB conducted a thorough search of the area between Beachy Head Lighthouse and Belle Tout.

“Nothing was found so the search was continued further to the west with Newhaven Lifeboat requested to assist.

“The ILB eventually recovered the body near Birling Gap and returned to station where the casualty was passed to the police coroner.”