An investigation has been launched following the discovery of a man's body on Rustington beach.

Police are today continuing to question a Sussex man in connection with the incident and are appealing for information from possible witnesses. Detectives are also applying for permission from magistrates today to be given another 36 hours to question the 30-year-old man.

He was arrested yesterday morning after the body was found. The dead man is believed to be in his sixties and from Sussex. His death is being treated as suspicious and an incident room has been set up at Worthing police station.

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a man in his thities and one in his sixties together in the SeaLane area of the beach at Rustington between 11pm on Sunday and 2am yesterday.

A post-mortem examination held yesterday discovered that the man's death was caused by drowning. The coroner has been informed. The man's identity is being withheld until all relatives have been in-formed.

A police spokesman said: "We are continuing today to investigate the case and would like to hear from anyone who may have further information about this incident or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area shortly before the body was found."

Police also want to speak to people who were seen in a red Vauxhall Cavalier car in the area at about 12am on Monday. The car was facing out to sea with its headlights full on. Detectives believe the occupants may have important information about the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Det Chief Insp Mark Eyre at the incident room on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.