Police today launched a major inquiry after the body of a man was found washed up on Brighton beach.

The death is being treated as suspicious and teams of uniformed officers and detectives are investigating.

The beach between the Palace Pier and West Pier was cordoned off and officers stopped walkers entering the area from the Kings Road promenade.

The man, believed to be in his 30s, was first spotted in the sea by a passer-by at 2.30am.

The body was recovered a few hours later almost opposite the Brighton Centre, close to the West Pier.

It is not unusual for bodies to be washed up along the Sussex coast and most of the deaths are non-suspicious.

But Detective Inspector Paul Fullwood, heading today's investigation, said the circumstances in this case demanded a full inquiry.

He said: "We are keeping an open mind at this stage and we would appeal to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious last night or early today to come forward."

Police are scouring the beach for clues and calling at hotels, shops and flats.

Anyone with information should contact Brighton CID on 0845 6070999.