A MAN has been rescued after reports that he was clinging on to a cliff-edge for his life.

Newhaven and Birling Gap Coastguard, with a helicopter from Lydd, police and ambulance crews were deployed to the scene at around 9:15pm yesterday after reports of a person sitting on a ledge just below the cliff top in Peacehaven.

As equipment was being arranged by emergency services, the casualty slipped and ended up hanging to the cliff edge by his fingers.

A harness was fitted to the man before the helicopter winched him to safety.

A spokesman for Newhaven Coastguard said: “It was a very fast and dramatic rescue with excellent team work between the coastguard team and the helicopter crew.

“Thank you to the members of the public for cooperating with us when we asked you to move away.”

The man was left to be checked over by paramedics.