A woman was airlifted to hospital with breathing problems following dramatic cliff rescue.

The woman had been out climbing around Westcliff on Portland when she fell yesterday afternoon.

The coastguard was alerted shortly before 4pm and dispatched the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter 187 to rescue the climber from the rocks below.

She was flown to Dorset County Hospital to be treated for injuries to the left side of her body.

The ambulance service also confirmed she was having troubles breathing.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: “We have had units on the scene since about 4pm and the casualty had been passed to the care of the South Western Ambulance Service.

“I can confirm she was a 63-year-old female but I am not able to comment on her injuries at this time.”

At around 6pm he said: “We still have units participating on the scene but the casualty is with the ambulance service and off to hospital.”

Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team and Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team also assisted with the rescue.

They were joined on the scene by three senior coastal operations officers in attendance with the area commander.

The incident happened when the cliff top was busy with walkers and residents who watched as the emergency services leapt into action.

The island’s west side is a renowned climbing spot which attracts people from all over the UK to its cliffs of up to 300ft high.

Ken Deadman, who lives in the area and saw the incident unfold, described it as a “major rescue”.

He said: “I think she was out climbing and she just fell. There were quite a few people out and about at the time. It is a popular climbing spot and unfortunately there are a lot of rescues here.”