A LIFEBOAT search around a pier has been called off after the Coastguard found "nothing untoward".

Two rescue boats and HM Coastguard officials were spotted around Brighton Palace Pier at about 10.30am this morning.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said a member of the public had called with concerns of a swimmer in trouble near the pier.

But after RNLI lifeboats, a Coastguard rescue team, and paramedics were arrived at the scene, the search was called off.

The spokeswoman said: "It looks like what has happened is that three swimmers were in the water.

"Because one of them was carrying a piece of rescue kit as a precaution because it was so rough, the person who called us thought it was an actual rescue.

"All those swimmers are accounted for."

The spokeswoman said the caller had done "exactly the right thing".

"As you know, we always prefer people to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard so that we can investigate and make sure," she said.