Search crews last night called off the hunt for a fisherman who fell overboard in strong winds.

Coastguard teams, a helicopter and two lifeboats scoured the coast all day after the man was reported missing yesterday morning.

But the search was halted at 4.45pm as darkness fell and rescuers said there were no plans to resume today.

Police said the man's family had been contacted.

The fisherman, who was in his 20s, was last seen on the rear deck of the two-man Shoreham-based vessel Miranda at 8am.