POLICE launched a full scale hunt for a partially clothed woman seen wandering along the side of a major road.

Officers searched the area around the A27 eastbound near Lewes between the Kingston roundabout and Southerham roundabout after drivers reported the blonde-haired woman walking nearby.

A dog unit and the police helicopter was called out at around 10.15pm on Tuesday while officers carried out an exhaustive search on foot through woodland and on riverbanks for one and a half hours but could not find her. The road was closed for about an hour.

A police spokesman said: “The woman was not reported to be showing any signs of distress or of seeking help. The reason for her being there is not known.”