A sea and air search has been launched after an empty dinghy washed up on on a beach.

RNLI crews said they had received reports that a person had been seen on board a dinghy in the same area shortly before the unmanned boat was discovered close to the Badger's Watch pub in Telscombe Cliffs near Brighton.

Sea conditions were described as rough today as winds gusted at speeds of 40mph created high waves.

Lifeboats were launched from both Brighton and Newhaven to mount a search of the water and joined by Solent Coastguard's helicopter.

A spokesman for RNLI Brighton said it was possible the dinghy may have been a tender which had come loose when being towed by a yacht.