A woman died and a man is thought to have drowned in separate sea tragedies last night.

The woman is believed to have walked into the sea at Southwick and the man jumped from the Palace Pier, Brighton.

The 28-year-old local woman was spotted at 5pm by a member of the public off Southwick, just west of Hove Lagoon.

Coastguards and the Sussex Police helicopter carried out a search.

The woman was found floating face-down and was recovered by the crew of the Brighton lifeboat.

Attempts to revive her failed.

The woman is thought to have previously attempted suicide. There were no suspicious circumstances.

The death comes two weeks after a swimmer drowned at Southwick.

Anne Brown, 62, died after getting into difficulty in the sea in front of Carrots Cafe, near Hove Lagoon.

Mrs Brown, of Flag Court, Hove, is thought to have suffered a diabetic seizure.

Debbie Hanekom and Esme Parks, two of the people who tried to help Mrs Brown, have called for a lifeguard to be stationed at the lagoon.

Mrs Hanekom, a regular beachgoer with her sister and their children, said: We saw how a situation can go so quickly from a little problem into something really serious.

Adur District Council, responsible for Southwick beach, said it could not afford a lifeguard.

Rescuers were called out again last night when drinkers in the Victoria Bar on the Palace Pier saw a young man jump into the sea.

Coastguards, police and lifeboat crews were called and the police helicopter crew used a thermal imaging camera.

Reports came in later of a body being seen off Black Rock.

Police have appealed for witnesses who saw the man on the pier to call 0845 6070999.