A CLIMBER was rescued from a 35ft cliff near Anvil Point, Swanage today.

The man had suffered a fall at Marmolata Buttress and other climbers in the group had called the emergency services using the telephone at Anvil Point Lighthouse.

Because of the height of the cliff, Portland Coastguard scrambled the helicopter with Swanage RNLI lifeboat and the Swanage coastguard rescue team tasked as well.

On arrival, it was established that one of the climbers had suffered a suspected broken rib and was unable to climb back up the cliff. He was airlifted to Poole landing site and taken to hospital.

The Coastguard Helicopter Rescue, after preparing the casualty, airlifted him to the Poole Hospital Landing Site to be met by Poole Coastguard Rescue Officers and Ambulance for onward transportation to Poole Hospital.

Swanage Coastguards monitored three other climbers until they were safely at the top of the cliff.

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Maddy Davey, said: “In this particular area, there is little or no mobile phone coverage.

"In areas like this it is advisable to have another means of raising the alarm, for example an additional person, not involved in the climbing activity, who could immediately inform the coastguard of an incident.”