A BODY was found drifting in the sea on Thursday.

Eastbourne inshore lifeboat launched after a body was spotted by a passer-by drifting off Beachy Head.

An Eastbourne RNLI spokesman said: “The volunteer crew of Eastbourne’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) was 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.”