The Coastguard and RNLI have joined the search for missing Alexander (left) (Picture: Sussex Police/Eddie Mitchell)

An urgent search is ongoing for a missing man after a car was discovered on a Sussex beach.

Concern is growing for a missing man who was last seen near East Preston beach earlier today.

Alexander, aged 50, whose surname has not been revealed, was reported missing this afternoon after a car was found abandoned.

It has sparked a huge emergency response along the beach around six miles west of Worthing.

Coastguard crews were seen looking inside the car which was found on the beach (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)

Footage shows the Coastguard helicopter and an RNLI lifeboat scouring the freezing sea water while a police canine unit was spotted along the beach.

Gale force winds have been battering the area, with around 45mph winds recorded in East Preston today. The water temperature is thought to be between 9C and 11C.

Sussex Police said: ‘We are concerned for the welfare of Alexander who is missing from Sheffield.

‘The 50-year-old was last seen near East Preston beach today.

The search was carried out (Picture: Eddie Mithcell)

‘Alexander is 5’10” tall and wears baggy clothing and a hat.

‘If you see Alexander, please call 999 immediately quoting serial 0508 of 22/12.’

The alarm was first raised shortly after 2pm when a white vehicle was found near the beach.

One Coastguard helicopter, a rescue team and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham were involved.

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The Coastguard and RNLI have joined the search for missing Alexander (left) (Picture: Sussex Police/Eddie Mitchell)

An urgent search is ongoing for a missing man after a car was discovered on a Sussex beach.

Concern is growing for a missing man who was last seen near East Preston beach earlier today.

Alexander, aged 50, whose surname has not been revealed, was reported missing this afternoon after a car was found abandoned.

It has sparked a huge emergency response along the beach around six miles west of Worthing.

Coastguard crews were seen looking inside the car which was found on the beach (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)

Footage shows the Coastguard helicopter and an RNLI lifeboat scouring the freezing sea water while a police canine unit was spotted along the beach.

Gale force winds have been battering the area, with around 45mph winds recorded in East Preston today. The water temperature is thought to be between 9C and 11C.

Sussex Police said: ‘We are concerned for the welfare of Alexander who is missing from Sheffield.

‘The 50-year-old was last seen near East Preston beach today.

The search was carried out (Picture: Eddie Mithcell)

‘Alexander is 5’10” tall and wears baggy clothing and a hat.

‘If you see Alexander, please call 999 immediately quoting serial 0508 of 22/12.’

The alarm was first raised shortly after 2pm when a white vehicle was found near the beach.

One Coastguard helicopter, a rescue team and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham were involved.

Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.

Arrow
MORE: Killer’s infuriating reaction after he is sentenced for brutally murdering two teenage girls

Arrow
MORE: Man questioned over ‘murder’ of missing boy, 8, found dead

Arrow
MORE: Hannah Kobyashi says she didn’t know dad killed himself while she was missing