A SIX-year-old cyclist who crashed into a sea wall before falling 8ft onto concrete steps is recovering in hospital.

A Coastguard raised the alarm at 11.15am on Thursday after the girl fell from the promenade at the north end of Whitley Bay.

The girl, who was thought to have suffered possible leg and pelvic injuries, had been cycling down a path when she was unable to stop and hit a sea wall.

She then fell over the sea wall, landing some 8ft below on the concrete access steps.

Although she landed on her back, the casualty was thought to have avoided serious injury to her head due to the helmet she was wearing.

A Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade spokesman said its members arrived on scene and supported a number of units from the North East Ambulance Service as they stabilised and assessed the girl.

He said: "The girl was then transferred to a carry chair before being taken to an ambulance with further assessment and treatment to take place at hospital.

"The brigade wishes her a speedy recovery in hospital."