A CARJACKER who drove off a 120ft cliff to his death has been named by police as 22-year-old Stephen Heslop.

Mr Heslop threatened Brian Tate with a knife, forcing him out of his taxi before driving off in the black Nissan Primera last night.

The 41-year-old, who works for taxi firm Marsden Taxis, then saw his vehicle being driven straight over the cliff at Marsden Grotto car park in South Shields and crashing onto rocks below.

Police, ambulance, fire brigade, police helicopter and the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade were all called to the scene.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, Mr Heslop, of Lincoln Road, South Shields, died.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: ''A report was received that a local man had been robbed at knifepoint and his car was stolen.

''This vehicle was then driven off towards Whitburn. It crashed through the barrier and was driven over the cliff and onto the beach.

''As a result of this impact the occupant was fatally injured. The emergency services attended and the fire service released the man from the car.'' The spokeswoman said officers were investigating the circumstances of how the car came to be driven over the cliff.