The Wells inshore lifeboat today recovered the body of a woman spotted in the water near Wells beach.

The woman - believed to be in her early 30s - was seen by a member of the beach patrol team in the water on the incoming tide at about 10am.

He alerted the harbourmaster, who informed the coastguard and the inshore lifeboat was then sent out and took the body back to the lifeboathouse.

Police started an investigation and undertakers arrived at the scene at about 1.30pm to take the body away. A post mortem examination is due to be carried out later.

The death is currently being treated as unexplained and investigations continue.

It is not known if the woman was local or from out of the area.

The area where the discovery was made was initially cordoned off but by midday the beach was open as normal and very busy as daytrippers and holidaymakers enjoyed another day of warm sunshine.

Two police vehicles are parked at the top of Beach Road near the car park and officers have been holding a meeting to discuss the case.

Peter Emerson, a beach supervisor for the Holkham Estate, said the body had been seen in low tide at the centre point of the beach.

'I first became aware something had happened when the beach patrol were waving people away from the water. Parents were asking why the kids could not go in the sea and they were keeping them away.'

He said emergency services had arrived very quickly.