Two divers have died after an incident during an underwater expedition in the English Channel.

Coastguards said the two men got into difficulty several miles off the coast of Eastbourne on Saturday afternoon.

A major water rescue was launched at around 1pm and the divers were hoisted from the water by helicopter.

Police later confirmed the two men, both in their 40s and from outside Sussex, were pronounced dead at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

DCI Mark Ling said: "Tragically two divers have died after getting into difficulty while diving in the Channel. We are informing their families and will be conducting an investigation into the circumstances."

A spokesman for the Coastguard Maritime Agency described the incident as “very serious”.

A Coastguard rescue helicopter and the Trinity House vessel Patricia went to the scene, several miles off the coast of Eastbourne, East Sussex.

A spokesman for the Coastguard said: “Dover Coastguard has been assisting a dive boat this afternoon after two of its divers experienced difficulties during a dive mid channel, south of Eastbourne.

"Both divers have been evacuated from the dive vessel by Coastguard helicopter, with the assistance of the Trinity House Vessel, 'Patricia’ and have been taken to Eastbourne Hospital.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said that the force was aware of the incident and that officers had been sent to Eastbourne to meet the dive boat on its return from the scene.