Search for kayaker missing in sea off Sussex coast suspended

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Image caption, The kayaker was seen "going into the water" off Hove seafront

A search operation for a kayaker reported missing off the Sussex coast has been suspended.

HM Coastguard said a person had been seen "going into the water" from a kayak off Hove Lagoon, near Brighton, at about 10:00 BST on Sunday .

A kayak and paddle were later found on the shoreline in the area.

The coastguard said it had since confirmed the identity of the kayaker, who remains missing. The search was suspended on Sunday evening.

A spokeswoman for the Marine and Coastguard Agency said: "There isn't a planned search resuming [on Monday] but we will respond to any new information/sightings."

A coastguard helicopter, the Brighton RNLI lifeboat and rescue teams from Newhaven and Shoreham were all involved in the search off Hove and Shoreham, which was suspended at nightfall "pending further information", the coastguard said.

Image source, HM Coastguard

Image caption, The kayak and a paddle were found on the shore