A body has been found after a search for a person in the sea off the coast of Brighton.

Emergency services, including volunteers from the RNLI and Sussex Police, were called to the scene near Brighton Palace Pier shortly before 4pm yesterday.

The search for the person carried on for several hours, with teams from Newhaven, Littlehampton and Shoreham helping to try and locate the missing person.

The search was suspended shortly before 10pm - almost six hours after emergency crews were first called to the scene.

It was resumed this morning at 6am but was ended at 8am.

Sussex Police has confirmed a body has been found on Saltdean beach.

 “Emergency services investigated a report of a person in the sea off Brighton Palace Pier on Wednesday, April 12,” the spokesman said.

“Searches were conducted by RNLI Lifeboats, volunteers, and the HM Coastguard helicopter, as well as by Coastguards and Sussex Police officers on shore.

“Sadly, a body was found on the beach at Saltdean at about 8.15am on Thursday, April 13.

“An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing, and further updates will be provided in due course.”