A man in his 50s has died after a car was reportedly driven over a cliff.

Police, fire crews, ambulances and the coastguard were called to Kingsdown beach near Deal on Sunday afternoon.

It has now been confirmed that the driver, who was the only person inside the car, died at the scene.

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police was called to a report of a single vehicle collision at 2.45pm on Sunday.

“Officers along with other emergency services attended the Kingsdown beach area of Deal. The occupant of the vehicle, a man in his fifties, was confirmed deceased.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”

On Sunday, witnesses told KentOnline they saw emergency services at the beach area after a car had reportedly gone off the cliff.

Staff at The Kings Head pub in Upper Street said they saw lots of action from about 3.40pm.

A worker there said: "We just saw a lot of police cars and stuff flying up and down - I did not know what had happened."

Maidstone resident William Bungay was visiting family when he saw the emergency services response on Sunday.

He said: "We got there at about 3.30pm and a lady walking the other way told us a car had gone over the cliff.

"The air ambulance and fire engines left just before 4.30pm. The coastguard, police, and ambulance were there too.”

A Coastguard spokesman said: “Rescue teams from Deal, Folkestone and Langdon Battery responded to an incident at the cliffs.

“The alarm was raised at about 2.55pm, and Kent Police, South East Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were also alerted.

“The air ambulance was sent to the scene. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was despatched from Lydd, but later stood down and returned to base.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service says it sent three engines to the scene before crews left at 4.15pm.