by Martin Jefferies

A teenage boy escaped with only broken bones after falling 25 feet down a cliff face in Ramsgate last night.

The 13-year-old from Broadstairs was climbing a chine on the East Cliff, close to King George VI park, when a branch he had taken hold of snapped.

The youngster was rescued by coastguard and paramedic teams at around 6.30pm, 40 minutes after he fell.

Thanet coastguard Pete Overton (pictured, right) said: "It was very lucky that the boy fell onto a ledge underneath the branch that gave way.

"If he hadn't and had fallen onto the promenade instead, he would almost certainly have suffered far more serious injuries."

The teenager was taken to the QEQM Hospital, Margate, where X-rays showed he had suffered two broken arms.

Mr Overton said the youngster had been "quiet but brave" during the rescue.