THE coastguard was called out to help a paddleboarder who was reported to be in distress.

At 9.30am on Saturday, Newhaven Coastguard sent a team to help find the sea-goer in Saltdean.

“A search was conducted and the paddleboarder was found to be safe and well,” a spokesman for the service said:

“It was a false alarm with good intentions.

“Remember to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard in a coastal emergency.”