Search for missing swimmer in the Arun at Arundel

Specialist search officers are using sonar to check the water, looking for a man described as tanned, about 6ft with brown, medium length hair and of a medium build.

A Sussex police spokesman said that a driver had seen the man, wearing a pair of shorts, preparing to jump into the river from the Arundel by-pass road bridge, at about 2.30am.

He added: "When he turned round and checked again he saw the man apparently swimming strongly up river towards the town. He did not appear to be in any difficulty or distress and his clothes were by the side of the road so the driver thought no more of it at that stage and drove on to some work he was doing elsewhere.

"However, when he passed by again just before 8am, the man's clothes were still there, so he contacted the police."

HM Coastguard has been informed, and police are asking for help from the public.

Inspector Kim Hudson said; "At this stage it seems possible that the man has just gone for a swim and perhaps got into difficulties, or cannot recall where his clothes are.

"The clothing and contents do not assist in identifying him, and we ask anyone who knows who he might be - or indeed the man himself - to contact us via 0845 60 70 999."

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