A woman has been found dead in the sea five miles from Brighton beach.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was spotted by a member of the public floating in the water off the coast of Brighton.

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

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of her death and to 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."

Photographs from the scene show a large emergency services presence at the marina, including multiple police and ambulance vehicles.

It follows the discovery of another woman's body in the English Channel near Brighton earlier this week. Emergency services were called to the Brighton Palace Pier area, Sussex Police have confirmed that a woman in her 20s from Lewes, East Sussex, died after being taken to hospital.

Emergency services were dispatched to the scene at around 3am on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "Police were called following concerns for a woman in the sea off the coast of Brighton just before 3am on Wednesday, April 16.

"Emergency services responded to the scene and the woman, in her 20s and from Lewes, was taken to hospital where she was sadly pronounced deceased. Her next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"There are no suspicious circumstances and this will now be a matter for the coroner."

Writing on X, Brighton RNLI said: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

“Thank you to all involved in the emergency response.”