COASTGUARD crews were on hand after reports of a young school pupil broke her ankle along the coastline in West Dorset.

Lyme Regis Coastguard, Beer Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance crew rushed to the young girl's rescue around noon yesterday between Lyme Regis and Seaton.

After travelling some distance coastguard crews and found the casualty in the undercliff between Lyme and the Allhallows pumping station.

The crews administered care to the pupil, who was on a school trip and had landed awkwardly on her ankle.

A spokesman from Lyme Regis Coastguard said: "At 12.07pm, we were tasked to reports of a school party with an injured pupil on the coast path between Lyme Regis and Seaton.

"Our colleagues from Beer were requested in case a stretcher carry out was required.

"After walking some distance along the coast path the team located the casualty who had slipped and landed awkwardly on their ankle.

"Coastguard’s gave casualty care and strapped the ankle in preparation for the stretcher.

"The ambulance service were happy for the casualty to make their own way to hospital for further assessment."

A spokesman from Beer Coastguard Rescue Team, said: "We were tasked to assist Lyme Regis Coastguard with a stretcher evacuation of a young person with a possible broken ankle.

"The casualty was in the undercliff between Lyme and the Allhallows pumping station.

"Lyme had located the casualty but needed more rescue officers for the difficult carry out, we got as far as we could in the vehicle then walked the rest, we met them at the scene and carried her back to one of our vehicles and then took them to their vehicle, as they were taking her to hospital for treatment.

"We wish her a speedy recovery."

For emergencies on the sea, cliff, river, mud, harbour and beach call 999 and ask for the coastguard.