Police were today due to resume questioning a woman suspected of driving her car on to a beach and trying to strangle a 15-month-old girl with seaweed.

The toddler was in the care of social services after being plucked to safety by police after the alleged incident yesterday.

A 39-year-old woman was in custody at Chichester police station on suspicion of attempted murder, officers said.

A damaged car was found on the beach, where it was thought to have crashed through a wall from a main road. No one on the beach was hurt.

A police spokesman added: "Police are now appealing to people on the beach who may have witnessed the incident to contact police on 0845 6070999."