A full investigation over safety at Camber Sands is "owed to the community" after the deaths of seven men this summer.

The plea came from the coroner dealing with finding out how the men died on the beach and "what lessons can be learned" from their tragic deaths.

The families of five men from south east London who died in a second incident within weeks on the beach over the summer have pleaded for more people on the beach that day to come forward.

Nitharsan Ravi, Kenugen and Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, Gurushanth Srithavarajah and Inthushan Sriskantharasa were pulled from the water after driving down for a day on the beach and playing volleyball on August 24.

Alan Craze, the East Sussex Coroner, said it was "extremely important" safety at the beach was considered at a review ahead of a full inquest into their deaths.

Mr Craze added: "Safety is, because of these tragic deaths, extremely important and I think I owe it to the community as a whole to investigate as far as I can conceivably do and as my powers allow me."

He said he needed further evidence and would be calling on experts to explain a number of factors including lifeboats in the water, lifeguard numbers and the possibility of "Baywatch towers" positioned along the beach.

Patrick Roche, the lawyer representing the four families, said: "We want to look to see if these deaths could've been prevented as well as preventing further deaths.

"It seems there's a case for a jury.

"It comes down to the number of deaths - four deaths and seven near deaths in the last four years [before 2016].

"One of the aims of the jury is to engage the community and maintain public confidence. We're still considering our position.

"There's only one witness who sees them at all and two from hearsay. We want a wider witness appeal.

"The family are anxious to know what happened to their loved ones.

"A national appeal would be worthwhile if it doesn't come up then so be it."

Lawyers for Rother District Council argued there was no "mandatory reason" for a jury.

But the families' lawyers confirmed they would be making a decision on whether to apply for a jury.

The inquest, which is not expected to take place until February, is due to hear from at least 40 witnesses.

The full hearing will also conclude the inquest heard earlier in the day of Gustavo Silva Da Cruz.

Those tragedies came just a month before the five men died in August.

The coroner will then decide whether to write a prevention of future death letter which would recommend what actions could be taken.