A TEENAGE girl was taken to hospital tonight after falling 50 feet down a County Durham rock face.

The county's fire and rescue service was called to Waldridge Road, in Waldridge village, near Chester-le-Street, shortly after 9pm after being contacted by the ambulance service.

A fire service rope rescue team was summoned to the area from Tyne and Wear and the 15-year-old girl was brought out on a spinal board.

She was taken to University Hospital Durham, suffering from back and head injuries.