A WALKER amazingly survived after falling 200ft from a cliff at a seafront in North Yorkshire while trying to rescue his dog.

Police said it was "absolutely remarkable" that the man, a 53-year-old man from Rochdale, escaped with only broken bones after trying to rescue his dog.

The pair were found at the foot of Little Cliff, just north of Cloughton.

The man, who is believed to be on holiday in the area, was airlifted to Scarborough General Hospital where he has "serious but not life-threatening" injuries including a broken wrist and leg. The man’s dog also survived the fall.

The coastguard and police joined a helicopter from RAF Leconfield at about 4pm yesterday to rescue the man and his pet from what was described as an "awkward position".

Insp Bruce Prendergast, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "It is absolutely remarkable that this man has survived a 200ft fall down the cliff face and escaped with injuries that are serious but not life-threatening.

"It is testament to the hard work and bravery of the coastguard and helicopter crew, who managed to extract the man from the bottom of the cliff in difficult circumstances, that he and his dog survived."

Police do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fall.