Emergency services pulled a body from the sea in stormy conditions.

Jean-Pierre Sonta sent in these pictures to The Argus of a helicopter hovering near Birling Gap, Eastbourne, at about 10.30am on Saturday.

Mr Sonta said he believed a car had been driven off the cliffs and into the English Channel below.

Witnesses reported that a body taken from the sea was loaded into the back of a waiting ambulance.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police confirmed the coastguard helicopter recovered the body of a woman, not thought to be from Sussex, from a black Peugeot car.

The spokeswoman added she was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where she was pronounced dead.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the Coroners’ Officer.