Body found on Christchurch beach

A body has washed up on a Christchurch beach this morning.

A member of the public found the body on New Brighton beach and reported it to police at 6am.

Southern police communications shift commander Paul Fremaux said it was not clear what had happened but it was not uncommon for people to jump off the New Brighton pier, sometimes for an innocent swim, and then wash up on the beach.

The body has been taken to the Christchurch mortuary for identification and police are investigating.

- NZPA