Horror as body found floating in water off coast of popular beach

A BODY has been found floating in the water off the coast of a popular beach.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was spotted by a passing boat fives miles from Brighton beach today.

Eddie Mitchell

Coastguard and RNLI gathering for the recovery operation[/caption]

Eddie Mitchell

The body was brought in to the RNLI station at Brighton Marina[/caption]

Eddie Mitchell

The woman has not yet been identified[/caption]

A lifeboat recovered the body and brought it back to the RNLI station at Brighton Marina.

Pictures from the scene show a fleet of emergency vehicles on the shore – as members of the RNLI and HM Coastguard gather for the recovery operation.

Cops have now launched an investigation to find out the woman’s identity.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Police were called at around 12.30pm on Saturday, April 19 after a woman’s body was found by a member of the public in the sea about five miles off the coast of Brighton.

“The RNLI recovered the body.

“Enquiries are ongoing, alongside partner agencies, to identify the woman and establish the full circumstances of the situation.”

Eddie Mitchell

A body has been discovered off the Sussex coast[/caption]