A base jumper who plunged into the sea off Beachy Head after a failed jump has returned to Sussex to thank the heroes who saved him.

Sean Richards, 34, was taking part in the extreme sport with a friend on a day-visit to Eastbourne from Oxford.

Base jumping involves parachuting off cliffs or other high places.

While his friend jumped safely, Mr Richards experienced a delayed chute opening and smashed into the cliff before ending up in the sea.

The Eastbourne inshore and offshore lifeboats were launched and crews managed to haul him on board and bring him to shore safely.

Mr Richards spent five days at Eastbourne District General Hospital, where he underwent surgery to a broken right leg.

However, he has made a full recovery and returned to base jumping in February.

To say thanks to his rescuers, Mr Richards gave £1,000 to Eastbourne's volunteer RNLI members on a return trip to East Sussex.

Mr Richards said: "They were thoroughly professional from start to finish - making sure I was warm and had pain relief.

"To my mind, I believe they should be Government-funded and not have to fund themselves as they are so important."

Eastbourne RNLI coxswain Mark Sawyer had a reunion with Mr Richards at the cliff top where the jump took place and thanked him for the donation.

Mr Sawyer said: "We're very grateful for the donation Sean's made. Without people like him, people wouldn't realise the variety of work we do."