By David Baker

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The body of an unidentified man was found washed up by a derelict peir in Sussex this morning in what the police have called an 'unexplained death'.

Now as the police desperately try to discover who the man in his 20s is it appears there is nothing to identify him but his car keys.

A member of the public discovered the body by Hastings' derelict pier in East Sussex at 7.30am this morning.

Unexplained: The body of a man in his 20s was found by a member of the public near this stretch of beach in Hastings this morning

Unexplained: The body of a man in his 20s was found by a member of the public near this stretch of beach in Hastings this morning

Officers have appealed for help in trying to identify the man, who had been in the water for up to 24 hours, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.

Having searched the man's soaked through clothes for signs of his identity there was little to help reveal who he is.

According to the police, they are focusing their attention on the car keys found in his pockets, as the most significant lead for discovering his identity.

Detective Inspector Andy Harbour said: 'The man, who we believe is in his 20s, was found washed up on the beach.

'We are treating his death as unexplained.

Investigations: Police hope car keys found in the man's body will help to identify him and are appealing for any information

Investigations: Police hope car keys found in the man's body will help to identify him and are appealing for any information

'We are doing all we can to identify him.

'He has short dark brown hair, is about 5ft 7in and was wearing a shiny black jacket and stone-washed jeans. In his pocket were keys to a Renault car.'

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.