Wife of ex-England cricketer found dead at bottom of cliffs

THE Seaford wife of a former England and Sussex cricketer was found dead at the foot of cliffs between Birling Gap and the Belle Tout Lighthouse on Saturday.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Sep 2007, 17:55 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:43 BST

Melanie Wells' body was recovered by the Sussex Police helicopter.

The alarm was raised by a passer-by who spotted her handbag at the top of the cliff.

Her husband Alan, originally from Newhaven, played for Sussex between 1981 and 1996, and featured in a solitary Test for England against the West Indies at The Oval in 1995.

He then played for Kent from 1997 to 2000.

Mr and Mrs Wells, of Blatchington Hill, Seaford, have two sons aged 11 and 16.

The couple had been running a bed and breakfast '“ Riverdale House '“ in Alfriston.

The tragedy occurred just hours before Sussex were crowned county champions for the third time in five years.

Mr Wells currently works as a cricket coach at St Bede's School, Upper Dicker.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.