A pensioner was resuscitated on East Preston beach after almost drowning.

Bathers pulled the 70-year-old man to shore after he got into difficulties while swimming.

The bathers tried to resuscitate him until ambulance crews arrived.

A Sussex Ambulance spokesman said: "Due to the position on the beach, we had to call in the police helicopter to evacuate the casualty.

"The bathers had attempted CPR when we attended.

"We gave the patient the appropriate drugs and used a defibrilator to help him breathe."

The pensioner was also treated by a paramedic in the helicopter as he was taken to Worthing Hospital, where he was still recovering.