A pensioner died after plunging from a clifftop in Purbeck.

The 68-year-old woman was out walking when she fell 50-feet down the cliff into the sea.

The Coastguard helicopter was scrambled after the woman, from Buckinghamshire, fell from a coastal path at Worth Matravers, pictured, into the sea below at around 12.15pm on Tuesday.

IThe woman was out walking as part of a group on an HF Holidays walking break at the time of the incident. Her companions alerted the emergency services which were on the scene within minutes.

The woman was airlifted to the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester but was later pronounced dead.

Sam Rose, manager of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site team, said: “We are very sad to learn that someone has lost their life while out walking along the Jurassic Coast.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the lady who died.

“Our advice to people visiting the coast is, as ever, to be aware of your natural surroundings and the weather, and take appropriate precautions.

“We always suggest that people keep away from the edges and the bases of cliffs, pay attention to any warning signs and not to forget to check the tide times.”

The Swanage Lifeboat was also called out to the emergency, although volunteers were ultimately not needed to assist.

Officers from Dorset Police said that there are no suspicious circumstances.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held at a later date.

Benedict Southworth, chief executive of the Rambler’s Association, said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family. We are always deeply saddened to hear of the death of a walker.”

A spokesperson for HF Holidays, the UK's biggest walking and activity holiday provider, confirmed that an incident occurred one of their guided walks.

Jim Forward, chief executive, said: “Everyone at HF Holidays is shocked and saddened by this accident and our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Mr Forward added that team members from HF Holidays are in Dorset to provide assistance to the family of the deceased, and to her fellow-walkers, who are from Amersham Ramblers Group in Buckinghamshire.