A 30 year old man from Eastbourne has died after a van plunged off cliffs at Beachy Head.

At about 6pm yesterday, Sussex Police officers were called to reports of a vehicle being driven off the cliffs near the Belle Tout lighthouse.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "With assistance from the coastguard and the fire and rescue service, we were able to locate the vehicle at the foot of the cliffs.

"The driver was sadly found deceased."

The driver has now been identified as 30-year-old Nicholas Maynard from Eastbourne.

Eastbourne Community Fire Station watch manager Steve Courtnage told The Argus by the time his team got down to the vehicle, Mr Maynard had already died. 

He said: "It was obvious the person was a fatality. 

"We took our battery powered equipment down to the beach and helped the coastguard with cutting the person out of the vehicle. 

"Our crew didn't get back until gone 10pm - it was quite a long operation.

"With the high winds, we were very aware of rock falls and the helicopter was struggling too. 

"The severe weather caused a few operational problems and we were also battling against rising tides."

No other people were injured in the incident and Mr Maynard's next of kin has been informed.

The Sussex Police spokeswoman added that the coroner was filing a report but that it is not being treated as suspicious.

Any witnesses are asked to contact police by calling 101 quoting CAD1290 - 30/11/15.