A BEACH was closed for almost three hours after a body was found at the foot of a cliff.

Police have confirmed a man has died following the incident at Birling Gap this morning.

Wealden District Council warned people that the seafront at Birling Gap was shut shortly after 11.30am as emergency services attended the scene.

A spokesman said: “The beach at Birling Gap is closed following an incident. The ambulance service is at the scene.”

Police confirmed that emergency services had been responding to the fatal incident.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Just before 11.10am a man was seen to fall from the cliffs at Birling Gap in Eastbourne.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.

“Enquiries to establish the identity of the man are ongoing and the matter has been passed to the Coroner’s Officer.”

Wealden District Council said the beach had reopened at 1.55pm.

The spokesman said: “Our thanks to the ambulance service, Beachy Head chaplains and National Trust staff for their help during this morning’s incident.”