A man has died after getting into difficulty while swimming in the sea off a popular UK beach.

Emergency services responded to calls from HM Coastguard following concerns for the welfare of a swimmer off Blackpool Sands, Strete in Devon, at around 3.30pm on Monday afternoon.

The man, who was in his 40s and from Surrey, was pulled from the water and treated by paramedics. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called by HM Coastguard at 3.30pm on Monday August 24 following concerns for the welfare of a man at Blackpool Sands, Strete.

“The man had got into difficulty while swimming in the sea and was recovered from the water by HM Coastguard.

“He was treated at the scene by paramedics.

“Sadly, the man, who was in his 40s from Surrey, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard sent an HM Coastguard helicopter, two Coastguard Rescue Teams, and two RNLI lifeboats to an incident near Dartmouth reported at about 2.40pm on August 24.”