A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 20-year-old was stabbed near Bognor Regis pier.

Police were called to the scene in The Esplanade in the West Sussex seaside resort on Friday night.

A 20-year-old local man was taken to hospital in Brighton, where he died from his injuries early this morning.

Officers have arrested a 31-year-old man, who is from Bognor Regis, at an address in the town on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody.

Sussex Police Superintendent Adele Tucknott said: “I’d like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of this young man, who lost his life in such tragic circumstances, and reassure the public that we have a suspect in custody.

“We are in the very early stages of our investigation to establish the exact circumstances of what happened, and we’re urging anyone who witnessed it or captured anything on camera to please come forward.

“The public can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area as our inquiries continue.”

Police said the victim’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.