Human remains found on Earnley beach

“Police were called to Sussex Beach, Earnley, at 11.37am on New Year’s Eve (December 31) after a local woman reported finding a partial skeleton exposed in clay the previous afternoon,” said a spokeswoman for Sussex Police.

“She at first thougfht they were animal bones, but later parts of a human skull were also found at the same location.

“The bones were recovered and taken to the mortuary at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester.

“They have been confirmed as human, but carbon dating tests are now awaited to determine their age and whether further police action may be necessary.

“The area in which the bones were found only becomes visible on two or three days a month when there are low spring tides. An ancient burial ground is known to exist in the area and ancient bones from this site have been unearthed before.”