THE bodies of two women have been recovered from a set of cliffs.

Police were joined by coastguard crews and a rescue helicopter at Rushey Hill in Peacehaven late this morning.

The helicopter landed at the top of the cliffs and a passerby said they had seen boats approaching the beach below.

The Argus:

The area was cordoned off as emergency services attended the incident.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: “HM Coastguard has, this morning, been assisting Sussex Police with an incident at Rushey Hill, Peacehaven.

“Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Newhaven RNLI lifeboat and the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd were sent.”

The Argus:

Sussex Police confirmed that two bodies had been recovered from the cliffs.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "Sussex Police, assisted by the coastguard, retrieved the bodies of two women from the cliffs at The Highway in Peacehaven this morning.

"Sadly, both women were declared dead at the scene.

"Formal identification has yet to have taken place."