A heroic detective saved a motorist's life by throwing himself inside the man's van as he tried to drive over a cliff.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert opened the door and grabbed the ignition keys as the vehicle neared the cliff edge.

He held on to the driver until other officers and firefighters came to his aid.

The man had twice tried to drive through a fence just 4ft from the 150ft drop.

He was about to try again when police made a dash to stop him.

Temporary Sergeant James Bowen tried to smash the windscreen with his baton before Mr Hibbert made his move.

Both officers have been hailed heroes.

The man, in his mid 30s, was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to Brighton police station for his own safety.

Mr Hibbert said: "My knees were a bit wobbly when I realised what could have happened.

"The consequences don't bear thinking about."

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said: "The officers acted swiftly, disregarding their own safety, and we will certainly be seeking to officially acknowledge their bravery.

"It is highly likely that had it not been for their actions, this person would have succeeded in committing suicide."

Emergency services were first alerted by a member of the public who spotted the van close to the edge of cliffs near the Portobello sewage works in South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs, near Peacehaven.

Mr Hibbert approached the van and tried talking to the driver but he could not make himself heard because of the strong winds and torrential rain.

Using signs, he tried to persuade the driver to get out of the vehicle.

Suddenly, the man put the van in reverse, sped backwards and then forwards again. The van smashed into the clifftop fence and came to a stop.

The driver tried again but could not break through the fence.

Mr Hibbert noticed the van doors were unlocked and ran to open the door.

Mr Hibbert, who has 15 years' service, said: "Looking back, it was a very frightening.

"Not only did we want to save the life of this man, who was clearly distressed, but we had to think about the risks to ourselves.

"If the fence had given way at any point then he would undoubtedly have killed himself.

"The weather worked in our favour. After he reversed back and then put his foot on the accelerator to go forward he was wheel spinning which helped lose some of the momentum.

"James and I literally had milliseconds to think about what to do. James tried to smash the windscreen with his baton but it just wouldn't break.

"Then I noticed that the locks were up so I just went for it and pulled the door open.

"I know it sounds a clich but you don't think about the danger. You just get on and do the job."