A police officer risked his life in the dramatic rescue of a suicidal man who had walked into the sea.

PC Steve Hargrave won praise from senior officers and colleagues after braving the waters off Worthing beach early on Saturday morning.

He spent eight minutes in the water before bringing the man back to shore safely.

The man, in his 20s, had been reported missing on Friday night after breaking up with his girfriend.

Police had tried to find him in Worthing but at 12.30am on Saturday he rang them to say he was going to drown himself in the sea.

PC Hargrave, who spent eight years as a specialist underwater search diver, and his colleague PC Ben Henwood, saw the man wading into the water and allowing himself to be pulled out by the current.

PC Hargrave then stripped off his uniform and swam 100m to reach him.

He spoke to the man and persuaded him to return to shore, spending about eight minutes in the water in total.

The man was treated by an ambulance and was later admitted to hospital for psychiatric treatment.

Sergeant Ian Kerr of Worthing police station said: “Being an experienced underwater search diver, PC Hargrave took it upon himself to put himself at risk and swim out to the male.

“He was able, along with colleagues, to return him to the shoreline safe and well.”

Inspector Nick Bowman said: “The conditions were awful. It was pitch black, choppy waters and freezing cold temperatures.

“When PC Hargrave got back he was absolutely shattered.

“The effort involved in swimming that far in those conditions was quite enormous.

“We are so proud of PC Hargrave.

“It reflects really well on his ability and demonstrates his total selflessness and courage.”