The coastguard has issued a statement after an incident at Hove beach this afternoon.

Concerns were raised about a possible 'person in the water' off Hove seafront at 12.15pm today.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: "The coastguard coordinated a response and sent a helicopter from Lee-on-Solent to help rescue teams from Newhaven and Shoreham."

Shoreham and Brighton Lifeboats and Sussex Police were also at the scene.

"We conducted a thorough search of the area.

"Nothing was found and the search was stood down," said the spokesman.

Initial sightings are expected to have been false alerts with good intent.