A diver has died after being rescued from the sea off Brighton and airlifted to hospital.

The man, in his 50s, was pronounced dead in hospital after being pulled from the water off east Brighton by a coastguard helicopter earlier this afternoon.

Sussex Police said the man's next of kin have been informed and enquiries are ongoing.

A force spokesman said: "Sussex Police were informed by HM Coastguard of a diver having been rescued from the sea off east Brighton at around 2.50pm on Monday.

"A man in his 50s was taken to hospital, where he was sadly pronounced deceased. His next of kin have been informed.

"Enquiries are ongoing to understand the full circumstances of the situation."

A coastguard rescue helicopter was called to the scene shortly before 3pm.

It landed in East Brighton Park and the diver was transported to the nearby Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The coastguard helicopter was later seen taking off from the park.