A builder leapt 30ft from a pier into the sea in the dark to save his cousin from drowning.

Chris Bennett, 19, was sitting on railings on Eastbourne Pier, waiting for his cousin Leon Daniels to emerge from the Atlantis nightclub, when he fell backwards into the freezing water.

As Mr Bennett battled against the strong current, dozens of people from the club saw him struggling below.

When 21-year-old Mr Daniels realised his cousin had plunged into the sea, he dived in after him.

Nightclub staff shone torches into the water to help guide the pair back to shore as they clung to each rusty girder on the Victorian structure. It took them 15 minutes to reach dry land.

The drama happened at 2.15am on Sunday after the pair and some friends had enjoyed an Italian meal, played pool and ended up at the Atlantis club on the pier.

Mr Bennett, of Croxden Way, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, also a builder, thinks he may have fallen asleep while sitting on the railings.

The former Ratton and Bishop Bell School pupil, who lost his £60 Samsung mobile phone in the water, said: "After I came out of the club as it was closing, I just sat on the railings beside the club as I waited for Leon. I had lost him inside so I thought I'd wait outside. But as I was sitting on the railings I fell in backwards and head-first into the sea.

"The cold water, combined with the shock of falling in, really took my breath away and I couldn't shout. I was just splashing around, trying to keep my head above water.

"It wasn't easy because I was fully clothed, wearing loafer shoes, baggy jeans and a shirt. I managed to get myself to one of the metal girders, which were really rusty and cut our hands.

"I looked above me and there were a lot of people looking down. Within about 30 seconds Leon jumped in and grabbed me.

"But the tide was so strong it kept pulling us. Although on the surface the water looked calm and flat, below the current was really strong."

Former Ratton School pupil Mr Daniels, a strong swimmer and surfer who visits Newquay every year, said his water skills helped save them.

Mr Daniels, of Firle Road, Eastbourne, said: "The doormen were really helpful in shining the torches on us because it was pitch black and we couldn't see ahead of us. That helped us as we went from girder to girder until we got back to shore.

"By then we were absolutely shattered and out of breath.

"But I knew I had to go in and that I could handle it. When I saw him below in the water I could tell by his face he couldn't make it on his own. The key thing was not to panic. Luckily, we got back to safety and didn't even need hospital treatment.

"I'm just glad we're both fine."

Mr Bennett said: "It was a really brave thing to do. I owe him one. I'm just glad it didn't turn into a near-death situation."