A major search was launched following reports a car had gone over the cliffs at a beauty spot.

Two people aboard a small rowing dinghy had seen the wreck of a car beneath the cliffs at Beachy Head this morning.

A full search and rescue was set up following fears people were trapped inside.

Whilst the other rescue services were searching between Holywell and Birling Gap, the Eastbourne RNLI lifeboat crew found the informants to get more information.

Further questioning revealed they had not actually seen the vehicle fall from the cliffs but had simply reported seeing it.

When crews investigated, they realised the wreck was from a previous incident and had been on the beach for some time.

Crews were stood down and the incident was logged as a false alarm with good intent.