A woman in her 60s has died in the sea off Winterton in Norfolk.

Lifeboats from Hemsby, Caister, Sea Palling Independent Lifeboats and the all-weather and inshore boats from Great Yarmouth and Gorleston were called to search for a missing person after midday on Sunday (July 24).

Emergency services attended Winterton after receiving a report of concern for the safety of a woman who had been swimming in the sea but had disappeared from view from the shore.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed police called for the assistance of the coastguard helicopter at about 3pm.

She said: "HM Coastguard received a 999 call after a swimmer who was missing off Winterton."

Officers joined members of the Norfolk Coastguard in a land and sea search operation but the body of a woman was recovered by the coastguard just after 5.35pm.

A Norfolk police spokesman confirmed the death is currently being treated as "unexplained".

He said: "Despite attempts to resuscitate her, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding her death."

Captain Lindsey Wigmore, lifeboat operations manager of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, said it was "not the outcome we were hoping for."