THE body of a man has been recovered after a car was seen to plunge into the water at Dover Harbour.

The alarm was raised just after 6pm last Friday when a crane driver reported seeing a car go into the sea "at speed" in the area of number one berth at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Dover lifeboat was launched and the crew fired parachute flares to light up the area as they used their inflatable boat to search for any signs of the vehicle.

Dover Coastguard appealed to any divers in the area to give assistance, and the Port of Dover Police and the Langdon Coastguard Rescue Team joined in the rescue operation. A specialist fire and rescue team from Whitstable was also called.

Coastguard officers warned that with the water temperature down to seven degrees Centigrade, the chances of survival were "limited".

After 45 minutes the car was discovered, lifted to the surface by crane, and the man's body recovered.

Inquiries are continuing.