Authorities in the US say the British film director Tony Scott has died after jumping from a bridge in Los Angeles.

The 68-year-old, who was born in North Shields, was best known for Hollywood blockbusters Top Gun, Days Of Thunder and Beverley Hills Cop II.

His older brother is the film-maker Ridley Scott.

Scott leapt from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island in Los Angeles.

Lieutenant Joe Bale of Los Angeles County Coroner's office said his death was being treated as a suicide.

A US Coast Guard spokeswoman told local newspaper The Daily Breeze that a suicide note was discovered inside Scott's car, which was found parked on an eastbound lane of the bridge.

A dive team pulled his body from the water several hours after members of the public alerted emergency services, having seen him jump from the bridge.

Film director Duncan Jones, who directed Moon and Source Code, wrote on Twitter: "Just heard about Tony Scott news. Horrible... Tony was a truly lovely man who took me under his wing & ignited my passion to make films."

He added: "Awww Tony. Wish you had felt there was a way to keep going. What a sad waste. My thoughts go out to his wife and beautiful children."

Scott, who lived in Beverly Hills, was married to the actress Donna Scott, with whom he had twin sons.