A JOINT operation saw rescuers descend a cliff edge after receiving reports of a woman in difficulties in the early hours.

Coastguard, Dorset Police and air ambulance services all attended the scene at Hengistbury Head.

A Southbourne Coastguard spokesperson said: “[We were] tasked at 00.54am by the joint rescue coordination centre to reports of a female in difficulties on a cliff edge at Hengistbury Head.

“Once on scene we liaised with Dorset Police and located the casualty. We then set up our technical rescue equipment for a rope rescue along with our full lighting rig.

“We swiftly deployed a cliff technician over the cliff who then descended to the casualty. Once with the casualty, the cliff technician secured the casualty in our rescue strop and then descended to the base of the cliff.

“The casualty was then taken into the care of Poole Coastguard Rescue Team and paramedics for onward transport to hospital. Once the casualty was transferred to the care of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, we stood down and returned to station.”

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was also on scene but stood down as they were not required. Lymington Coastguard also assisted with the rope rescue.