A man involved in a police chase died when the car he was driving plunged over a 170ft cliff and into the sea.

The crash happened after police on the Isle of Wight had pursued a white Vauxhall at Totland for several miles.

Officers used a Stinger device to deflate the vehicle's tyres, but it failed to stop the driver, who carried on for a number of miles.

A police spokeswoman said the chase started at 10.20pm yesterday when the driver, who has not been named, failed to stop for officers who suspected him of traffic offences.

"Police pursued the car for several minutes but then called off the pursuit after the vehicle passed through red lights at speed in a built -up area," she said.

"Shortly after 10.30pm officers deployed a Stinger deflation device.

"The car continued to travel for some miles, followed by police officers, before entering the Needles Pleasure Park and going into Battery Road.

"At this point the vehicle left the road, driving on a grass verge before going over a cliff edge.

"The reason why the car left the road is not known.

"Officers who had been following the vehicle went down to the beach where the car landed in the water but despite repeated resuscitation attempts the man was pronounced dead at the scene," she added.

The man was alone in the car and the Police Complaints Authority is now investigating.

A post-mortem examination would be performed later today, the spokeswoman said.