A workman who fell from the fire-damaged Eastbourne pier earlier today has died.

Sussex Police announced this evening the 44-year-old man from Cumbria was declared dead at the scene.

Emergency services were called shortly after 4pm to reports a man had fallen from the pier.

Workmen have been working at the seafront attaction after a fire ripped through the historic structure on July 30.

The man's body was taken to Eastbourne mortuary. 

His next-of-kin have been advised and the man has not been formally named at this stage.

Sussex Police will be joined by officers from the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the incident.