THE body of a man has been recovered from the sea.

Police were called to West Beach Road in Shoreham at 1.38pm after reports a body had been seen in the water.

Officers believe they know the man's identity and his next of kin have been informed.

The Argus:

"There are no suspicious circumstances and the matter has been passed to the coroner's officer," a Sussex Police spokesman said.

Coastguard crews were called to assist police with the incident.

An hour later, the Coastguard also responded to reports of an "empty vessel" washing ashore near Hove Lagoon.

The vessel is believed to have been a boat, and there was no one on board.

It is not known if the two incidents are linked.

The Argus:

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: "At 1.44pm today, HM Coastguard received a report of an incident opposite the east side of Widewater Lagoon, between Lancing and Shoreham.

"Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked as well as Shoreham RNLI lifeboat to the incident, assisting Sussex Police.

"At 2.50pm today, HM Coastguard received a report of a vessel coming ashore around one to one and half miles east of Hove Lagoon.”

The Argus:

He said Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to secure the vessel and the council had been informed.

The spokesman said: "Further shoreline searches were also carried out and nothing found."