A swimmer has died after getting into trouble in the sea.

Emergency services including the coastguard helicopter and air ambulance were called to Ramsgate beach at about 1.45pm today.

The man was pulled from the water by the RNLI and passed into the care of paramedics but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for police said: “Kent Police was called to Ramsgate Sands at 1.45pm following a report that a swimmer had got into trouble in the sea.

“Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard and a man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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

A HM Coastguard spokesman added: “We coordinated the response to a man reported to have been in difficulty in the water in Ramsgate today.

“The alarm was raised at about 1.45pm.

“Our search and rescue helicopter from Lydd attended.

“Coastguard Rescue Teams assisted from Felixstowe, Hythe and Margate.

“The RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Ramsgate recovered the man from the water and he was passed into the care of South East Ambulance Service.”