'Missing' man had forgotten his bags

The coastguard helicopter and Littlehampton's two lifeboats joined police in the search after the suitcase, which contained clothes, was discovered by Littlehampton's Beach Patrol alongside a backpack and a walking stick opposite Norfolk Gardens at around 4.45pm.

At first it was believed the items may have belonged to a windsurfer or kitesurfer out on the water, but as soon as this was ruled out, the search began.

While police scoured the beach and further inland, the lifeboats and coastguard scoured the sea for the man, whose identity was discoverer through various cards in his bag, who was in his 40s and from London.

He was also classified as a missing person.

Police officers found him safe and well later the same evening at a house in Littlehampton.

He told officers he had forgotten he had left his belongings on the beach.

His suitcase was returned to him.

The incident is one of a series of searches for missing people along the coast at Littlehampton.

Earlier this month the bodies of a father Alan Watkins and his two-year-old son Arun from London were found in the water after having set out in a dinghy.