A body found on a beach this morning after an extensive search by emergency services was that of a 21-year-old man, police have confirmed.

Coastguard crews and the RNLI searched the sea near Brighton Palace Pier yesterday afternoon and early this morning following reports of a person in the water.

However, the search ended in tragedy after a body was found in Saltdean at around 8.15am.

Police have said that the body was that of a 21-year-old man from Brighton. His next of kin have been informed.

A police spokesman said that inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened, but it is not believed to be suspicious.

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Search teams were called to the scene of the incident near the Palace Pier shortly before 4pm yesterday, with the search for the man lasting for several hours.

Teams from Newhaven, Littlehampton and Shoreham assisted with the search to try and locate the missing man, despite treacherous conditions.

The search was suspended shortly before 10pm, but resumed this morning before the discovery was made on the beach in Saltdean.

The police spokesman said: "Following an extensive search of the waters around Brighton Pier yesterday evening (April 12), we have sadly found the body of a man on the beach at Saltdean.

"He has now been identified as a 21-year-old man from Brighton. His next of kin have been informed.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this tragic incident, but it is not believed to be suspicious.

"We can confirm we are not searching for anyone else in relation to this incident.

"A file will now be prepared for HM Coroner."

It comes just days after a woman’s body was found in a separate incident near Brighton.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious, with a report being prepared by the coroner.