This dramatic picture shows a whirlwind that struck the Sussex coast at the weekend.

People watched in amazement as a twister the height of several buildings struck the coast on Saturday morning.

The freak weather pattern, which could be seen for miles, formed at sea off Ovingdean, near Brighton, at about 7.15am.

Argus reader Bob Gould photographed it as it twisted down into the sea, sucking up a massive spray of water, and moved towards the shore before dying out.

Brighton seafront officer Viki Miller said: "It got really large, - several hundred metres tall - before dispersing."

Geoff Rawlings was fishing on Saltdean beach when the twister struck.

He said: "It came over really dark and there was thunder and lightning and then this tornado hit the water.

"I could see it boiling up the water and there was spray coming up around the sides. It was unbelievable."