Search for man in sea scaled down

A land, air and sea search for a man who was seen in the sea at Brighton has been scaled down.

The man was seen walking into the water near Brighton pier and was sighted by the coastguard at 1445 BST. A pile of clothes were found on the shore.

Lifeguards ran into the sea but were unable to reach him. The coastguard said they were hampered by heavy surf.

The coastguard, lifeboat, police and fire brigade were involved in the search during the afternoon.

David Williams, watch manager at Solent Coastguard, said: "It's proved too dangerous to get into the surf line.

"The rescue has now been scaled down and an active watch is being kept."