A TEENAGER who survived an 80ft fall was last night recovering at home after only one night in hospital.

Antony Williams, 16, plunged down cliffs at Easington Colliery beach, in County Durham.

It is believed he had spotted some friends at the top, near Grants Houses, and tried to climb up to meet them.

Antony, of Snowdon Place, Peterlee, lost his footing about 80ft up and fell to the beach below, at 7pm on Sunday.

He escaped with ankle, rib and neck injuries but they were not life-threatening.

Last night, next-door neighbour Christine Jones said: "He is a pretty outgoing and popular teenager but I have never heard of him going up cliffs before. This has come as a bit of a shock, but the main thing is that he is okay."

Onlookers called the emergency services after Antony lost his grip, and paramedics feared he may have damaged his spine.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "When we arrived we could see him at the bottom of the cliffs.

"It would have taken us 20 minutes to carry him up the cliffs so, because he had back and neck pains, it was decided to let the helicopter get him."

The coastguard scrambled a rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer and Antony was treated before being transported to Sunderland Royal Hospital. He was allowed home yesterday afternoon.

A police spokesman said: "He had an incredibly lucky escape. His injuries could have been far more serious."