A MAN had to be airlifted from the beach at Horden, County Durham this evening after falling and damaging his leg.

The man, who it is believed had been drinking, was fishing on the beach and sustained the injury while the tide was inbound.

He was found by a member of the public around 6.10pm.

The lifeboat and coastguard from Seaham were summoned and the RAF Helicopter from RAF Boulmer was called in.

The man was airlifted from the beach to the top of a nearby cliff and handed over to the ambulance service.

The extent of his injuries are not known.