A driver died after torrential rain led to a weekend of chaos on Sussex roads.

The 25-year-old man, believed to be from Chichester, died after his car left the road and hit a tree at about 7.15pm on Saturday.

He was driving a silver Vauxhall in Drayton Lane, Merston, Chichester, when the car left the road.

He suffered serious head injuries and was taken to St Richards Hospital, in Chichester, where he later died.

Police are expected to release details of the man's identity later today.

In a separate accident, a woman is in a critical condition today after her blue Ford Fiesta left the A284 at Madehurst, near Arundel, and hit a tree.

The woman, in her fifties from Arundel, was driving south when it left the road and hit a tree near the Whiteways roundabout at about 8pm yesterday.

The road was closed while firefighters from Arundel, Storrington and Chichester worked to free the woman from her car.

She was also taken to St Richards Hospital in Chichester where her condition was today said to be critical. No-one else was injured in either crash.

Police are also appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was in collision with a car on the A259 Kingsway, Hove, just after midnight on Saturday.

The cyclist was riding west near the King Alfred leisure centre when he was hit by a Peugeot 306 travelling in the same direction.

The 31-year-old cyclist, from Brighton, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The driver of the Peugeot, a 23-year-old Brighton woman, was uninjured.

Just after 11pm yesterday police were called to another accident on the A23 at Pyecombe. A silver Honda Civic left the road and careered into a ditch.

The 19-year-old driver, from Haywards Heath, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, where he was treated for a serious injury.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to the incidents and issued a warning about the perils of driving in the current conditions.

Superintendent Paul Morrison, from the Sussex Road Policing Unit, said the change in weather had also led to an increase in the number of early morning and rush hour collisions last week and reiterated warnings against the dangers of drink driving.

He said: "Particularly at this time of year, drivers need to ensure both they and their car are fit for the journey ahead.

"We want people to enjoy the Christmas period, which will happen if we can prevent people killing or seriously injuring themselves or others by acting responsibly on the roads.

"The influence of drink is not just restricted to car drivers. Pedestrians and cyclists may lose their awareness after enjoying festive activities and also present a challenge to drivers."

Road policing officers will be patrolling the roads during the morning commute to work and will stop drivers who have failed to clear their windows correctly. Anyone involved in a road collision will be breath tested.

Any witnesses to the accidents over the weekend should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.

For up to date traffic information visit the local information section of this website.

Did you witness any of the accidents or know anyone involved? Leave your comments below or call the newsdesk on 01273 544512.