A 20-year-old man from Handcross was found dead after a car crash this morning.

The man was in the wreckage of a Volkswagen Golf which had come off the B2036 Cuckfield Road, near Burgess Hill, and hit a tree.

Police said the car was spotted at 3.30am today by another driver, but they believe it had been there for some time because the engine was cool.

Sergeant Stuart Goodwin, of the Sussex Police road policing unit, said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the car off the B2036 Cuckfield Road, at any time before 3.30am.”

The road was still closed at 10.30am today while recovery work took place.

Sgt Goodwin said: "I should like to thank people living locally and other users of the road for their patience and understanding while this is carried out."

Anyone who saw the car driving in the area or off the road where it crashed is asked to call Sussex Police, on 101 quoting Operation Southcott or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk.