POLICE say they are not treating the death of a woman whose car went over a cliff as suspicious.

An investigation has now been launched into what caused the car to plunge from the cliff on the Isle of Wight last night, killing the female driver.

The woman, who was in her late forties and from Dorset, was alone in the vehicle when it plunged down the cliff at an area west of Compton Chine Farm, Military Road in Brook around 6.40pm.

Roads were closed to allow officers to conduct a thorough investigation of the scene and enquiries into the exact circumstances of the incident.

A spokesman said that at this time, they do not believe anyone else to be involved in the incident and poor weather conditions are not thought to be a factor.

Officers have appealed for anyone with any information should contact Newport CID on 101, or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The incident comes less than a week after a 20-year-old man died when his van also went over a cliff on the island, but officers stressed the incidents are not linked.

Robert Hayball, 20, had gone missing from his home in Newport, on the Isle of Wight, shortly before reports were received of a vehicle going into the sea at Culver, near Sandown, last Thursday.