A 44-year-old man drowned this morning after falling into the sea at Peacehaven.

He was walking with another man on the promenade at the bottom of cliffs near Steyning Avenue at around 10.45am when the incident occurred.

He was airlifted to the Eastbourne District General Hospital, but was declared dead just after noon.

Both men ended up in the water.

A group of men working near by tried to rescue them and one went into the sea.

He and the dead man's friend were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, but were both discharged after treatment.

One of the construction workers was taken to Brighton Hospital suffering from hypothermia and head injuries.

The other walker was also taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

A Solent Coastguard spokesman said: "A group of construction workers went to the man's assistance by throwing life rings into the water.

"Due to a large surge the man lost hold of the life ring.

"One of the construction workers entered the water to recover the man and pull him back to the groyne.

"The waves then broke again on them and the man was lost from the grasp of the construction worker.

"The man was found shortly afterwards and taken by rescue helicopter to hospital.

"The construction worker was seen by paramedics on the shore and then taken to hospital by ambulance suffering from hypothermia and head injuries."

There are no suspicious circumstances and the matter has now been referred to the coroner's officer.

The man who died was from Middlesex.

Did you see what happened or do you know any of the people involved?

Leave your tributes below or call Anna Roberts on 01273 544539 or email anna.roberts@theargus.co.uk.