Major drop in coastguard alerts

Coastguards handed out safety advice leaflets

Coastguards have been called to far fewer incidents along the East Sussex coast over the past 12 months than in previous years.

According to figures released by the Dover Coastguard on Thursday, 117 people had to be rescued last year, compared with just under 200 the year before.

There has also been a significant drop in the number of people needing assistance on the water.

The coastguards said although better information had helped keep the number of rescues low, beach users should not become complacent.

Coastguard Colin Mulvana said: "We've put a lot of effort over the last year into prevention of incidents.

"That has been the process we've gone through, putting out leaflets making people more aware of the dangers.

"It's the safety aspect of people going to sea and using the water, with whatever means - whether it be jet ski, yachting or anything like that, even down to people going to the beaches."