3 June 2012 Last updated at 05:27 ET

Man's body found on Newquay beach in Cornwall

The man's injuries are not believed to be consistent with a cliff fall

The body of a man has been found on a beach in north Cornwall.

Police said a member of the public discovered the body on Great Western Beach in Newquay at about 08:30 BST on Saturday.

It is thought the clothed body of the man, believed to be in his 20s, was washed up.

Insp David Shipright, of Devon & Cornwall Police, said the body could have been in the water for a "period of hours, probably since last night".

Post-mortem examination

It was believed the man - who was visiting the resort with friends - was involved in an incident in the town on Friday evening, police said.

Insp Shipright said: "We are obviously making enquiries and will be taking statements off people who potentially witnessed the incident."

The body was discovered by a man walking his dog.

His family has been informed and a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out, but his injuries were not thought to be consistent with a cliff fall, police added.

Two teenagers died in 2009 as a result of cliff falls at night.

Andrew Curwell, 18, from Saddleworth in Greater Manchester, was found at the foot of the beach's cliffs in June 2009.

A month later, 16-year-old Paddy Higgins, from Wokingham, died after falling down cliffs above nearby Tolcarne Beach.

Their deaths led to safety campaigns to highlight the dangers.