Police today released a photofit image of a man who could hold vital clues to a drowning off Brighton seafront.

The man in the picture was seen wading in the sea towards the shore, west of the Palace Pier, just before the body of Andre Clarke was recovered nearby.

Police are treating the 28-year-old student's death as suspicious and they believe the man seen in the sea, or people who saw him, may have information about the drowning at about 11.30pm on Sunday, November 20.

Police issued two new appeals today. A pier security guard heard a man's voice calling out "Matthew" several times at the time of the drowning. The guard then saw a male walking westwards at the shoreline.

Later, just after midnight, Inspector Andy Carter was approached on the pier by a man who expressed concern about a missing friend.

Police are anxious to trace these men to eliminate them from their inquiries.

Mr Clarke, from Mitcham, Surrey, is thought to have checked into a bed and breakfast hotel in Brighton the day before his death and he may have paid for the night of November 20 as well.

Officers have so far been unable to find the hotel and they appealed for help from owners and staff.

Anyone with information should contact the Operation Active incident room on 0845 6070999.