A boy of 11 was rescued from a mud embankment in Hastings after falling 20ft while playing in woodland.

Firefighters used an animal rescue winch to hoist Gregory Powell from the woods to a bridge 20m above.

The youngster was met by his parents and paramedics who took him to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings. But Gregory - wearing a neck brace from a previous accident - escaped with back bruising after undergoing tests and X-rays.

The William Parker School pupil was discharged late last night and was recovering at home in St Leonards today.

His builder father John Powell, 53, said: "The first thing he said to me afterwards was, 'It's cool, Dad'. His injuries could have been an awful lot worse. He was silly playing down there.

"But, once this has all blown over I'm sure we will be able to see the funny side."

Year 7 pupil Gregory had been walking home from the William Parker boys' school with a friend.

The pair threw a pencil case from the bridge in St Helen's Road, Hastings, to wooded Old Roar Ghyll below.

But as they tried to retrieve it Gregory slipped, falling 20ft in darkness.

He came to rest at a precarious angle on a sloping mud embankment, six feet from a stream running beneath the bridge.

His friend dialled 999, starting an operation involving police, ambulance and more than 25 firefighters.

Extra care was needed as Gregory wore a neck brace for a back injury while trampolining 12 days ago.

Paramedics strapped him to a stretcher and spinal board to protect his back from further injury.

Oxygen was administered before he was winched up under floodlight with equipment normally used in cow rescues.

Mr Powell looked on from the bridge as Gregory was hauled up.

Station officer Jim Mahoney, of The Ridge fire station, said: "The boy was talking throughout and did not appear to be in pain."

Rush-hour traffic was diverted as St Helen's Road was closed until just after 6pm.