A TEENAGER was rescued after falling down a cliff face at a popular Herefordshire location for rock climbers.

The 17-year-old was rescued by firefighters after they were called to Symonds Yat on Sunday. Crews from Herefordshire and a specialist team from Coleford in Gloucestershire managed to rescue the teenager from a ledge at the Bowler's Hole after he had fallen around 60ft.

Two crews from Whitchurch helped bring the teenager up the cliff using specialist lifting gear.

Bryan Thornett, watch manager at Whitchurch fire station, said: "The lad had fallen to a ledge about three-quarters of the way down and a cliff rescue team from Coleford abseiled over the cliff face.

"They got to the casualty and put him on a spinal board but due to the location he was hauled back up the cliff face rather than being taken down. It was deemed safer."

The teenager, who suffered lower spinal injuries, was thought to be climbing with a group of people and had climbing lines attached to him.

"He was very lucky," Mr Thornett added. "We have had people fall 12ft before now and they have had life-threatening injuries - so he was a very lucky chap."

A total of six fire crews, who were called to the incident at around 3pm, attended the scene including firefighters from Ross-on-Wye who were on stand-by.

Crews cordoned off an area at the bottom of the cliff due to the risk of falling debris and the rescue mission lasted around 45 minutes.