WHEN a lifeboat crew received a call about a body in the water, they feared the worst.

But after a search of the area, they discovered the body was actually a 3ft cuddly shark floating in the water with a toy dolphin.

The Brighton lifeboat crew swung into action after a call from a passer-by who saw the objects near the Palace Pier.

But the crew discovered the suspected body was a couple of arcade prizes thrown into the water by pier revellers.

Helmsman Mark Smith said: "When we got down to the pier the informant had lost sight of the body, so we did a full search of the area. But to our surprise all we found was a 3ft cuddly grey and white shark.

"We have to go out expecting the worst and be prepared for anything. But it did come as a relief when it was a toy rather than a body.

"In the dark the cuddly shark could have looked like a body, so the person was right to call us."

After a rinse in a washing machine, the toys will be given a home in the lifeboat station being built at Brighton Marina.

Mr Smith said: "We are treating them like trophies at the moment and will make room for them to be on show at the new lifeboat station. They might well become our mascots."

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