Fears for the safety of a person spotted climbing at a notorious suicide spot led to the discovery of a body.

Crew aboard the William Allchorn pleasure boat, which was taking passengers on a tour of the coastline, spotted a figure 70ft up on cliffs at Beachy Head in Eastbourne.

Concerned for the climber's safety, they called the emergency services shortly before 11am yesterday.

The Coastguard helicopter, Eastbourne lifeboat and Coastguards from Eastbourne, Birling Gap and Bexhill were summoned to Gun Gardens, at Beachy Head, to help rescue the climber.

Chris Laycock, the owner of Allchorn Boats, based on Eastbourne seafront, said: "The person was spotted by a member of my crew.

"I know it pales into insignificance in the light of recent world events but it was a very stupid thing to do."

However, by the time emergency services arrived, the climber had disappeared.

Moments later, Coastguards in the helicopter carrying out a search of the area came across a body, metres away from the original sighting.

The body is believed to be of a woman and may have been lying there for some time. It is thought to be nothing to do with the climber, who has not yet been traced.

People walking in the area at the time were questioned.