A pensioner with a penchant for skinny-dipping has sparked a major rescue operation - for the second time.

An alarmed passer-by dialled 999 after spotting Brian Behan strip off and hurl himself into stormy seas at Shoreham Harbour yesterday.

Police, coastguards and lifeboatmen raced to the scene to prevent an apparent suicide bid in the freezing waters.

When they arrived the 75-year-old from Brighton, who swims naked every day, was happily towelling himself off.

Mr Behan, of Newark Place, Albion Hill, last night blamed rough conditions at his usual haunt, Brighton nudist beach.

He said: "The waves were 9ft high but it was relatively calm in the harbour so I leaped in."

Mr Behan, brother of the late Irish playwright Brendan, last caused a major alert two years ago in December 1999, when the coastguard helicopter was called out to save him.

He said: "While I'm indebted to this person for dialling 999, I wish they'd stop wasting police time."

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison, of Hove and Shoreham division, said police were happy to respond to emergency calls made in good faith.