The search for a woman washed out into the Channel off an East Sussex beach was called off this morning.

Lifeboats and a rescue aircraft had been scouring the Sussex coast for signs of the 25-year-old Hastings woman.

The woman, who has not been named, was dragged into the water by a wave as she walked on the beach at about 9.50pm yesterday, said police.

Several people on the beach tried to rescue her but were beaten back by the waves and she disappeared.

A Dover Coastguard spokesman said helicopters and lifeboats had searched search the area in rough conditions.

That search was called off at about midnight, and a beach search was started at first light today.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "The search and rescue plane has been flying up and down close inshore but nothing has been found. We are just going to have to wait."

A Sussex Police spokeswomen said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and has appealed for witnesses.