A man has died after being pulled from the water at Scarborough Beach in Christchurch.

Emergency services were called to the popular beach about 12.30pm on Sunday following reports of a suspected drowning.

A rescue helicopter was among the emergency services dispatched to the scene but was later stood down.

A St John spokesperson earlier confirmed ambulance crews attended the incident.

Fire and Emergency crews and Coastguard Sumner personnel also responded to the scene.