A SWIMMER has been found safe and well after emergency services were called to an incident at the pier.

Crews from Newhaven and Shoreham Coastguard as well as a rescue helicopter attended the scene at Brighton's Palace Pier at 12.30pm today after reports of a person "in distress".

They were supported by ambulance crews and police,as well as Brighton Lifeboat.

A spokesman for Newhaven Coastguard said: "Team tasked to an overdue swimmer in Brighton, alongside Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175, Sussex Ambulance, Police and Brighton Lifeboat.

"Swimmer was found safe and well."

Photos taken at the scene show several ambulances and an incident response vehicle outside the pier.

The incident was described as a "false alarm" by police.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Emergency services were called to Brighton Palace Pier at around 12.30pm on Wednesday to reports of a person in distress on the pier.

“The call was investigated and judged to be a false alarm.”

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