A YOUNG girl has been taken to hospital after falling 10ft onto rocks and reportedly injuring her spine.

Coastguard officers from Portland and Wyke coastguard rescue teams were called to help a child who had fallen near Portland Bill lighthouse at 1.16pm yesterday afternoon.

The young girl had fallen roughly 10ft onto rocks and suffered a suspected lower spine injury.

Paramedics were called and the girl was given pain relief before being taken to Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

A spokesman for Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Solent Coastguard tasked the full team, along with our colleagues from Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team, to a young female who had fallen approximately 10ft onto rocks and suffered a suspected lower spine injury, near to Portland Bill lighthouse.

"On arrival, the young female was assessed by the team and given casualty care until South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) paramedics arrived on scene.

"Pain relief was administered and the casualty was carefully placed onto the ambulance’s spine board, before being recovered the short distance to the back of the awaiting ambulance.

"She was then transferred to DCH for a full assessment. With the casualty now in the care of SWAST, the teams returned to their risk watch patrols.

"We would like to wish our casualty a speedy recovery."