A MAN whose abandoned clothes on a Southend beach sparked a missing person investigation has been found safe and well in London.

Several personal possessions belonging to Stephen Jones were recovered from the beach off Western Esplanade in Southend at lunchtime on Friday, August 30.

The 52-year-old man led a nomadic life, various hostels around the south-east of England, and was last known to be living in at a south-London one.

Police enquiries led to him being found living rough in Trafalgar Square in central London. He had left his clothes on the beach as he no longer wanted them.

A police spokesman said: "Essex Police would like to thank those members of the media who assisted with the police investigation by carrying the appropriate publicity."