Body found atCamber Sands

The coroner has been informed and a post mortem examination was due to take place this week.

Mr Wise’s son, James, paid tribute to the emergency services, search volunteers and the people of Seaford who had all tried to find Mr Wise after he was reported missing.

He said: “They all, each and everyone of them, deserve our family’s thanks for their concern and compassion. They could not have done more to help.”

James Wise, the third generation of his family to run a coach business, set up in 1947 in Upper Dicker and now based in Hailsham, said his father had passed the business on to him when he retired.

But he added: “My father’s main and abiding link with Upper Dicker was the cricket club, which was a huge part of his life.

“A great all-rounder, who taught me to play, he captained the village side and was skipper in 1977 when the club celebrated its tercentary, records having shown that cricket was played there as far back as 1677.

“The occasion was marked by games against a Sussex XI, led by Tony Greig, the former England captain, and an MCC XI.”

Mr Wise also played cricket for the Army while serving with the military in Hong Kong. Private funeral arrangements have been made for family members and close friends to celebrate his life.