A CANOEIST who travelled hundreds of miles to tackle a North-East river landed himself in trouble before he left dry land.

Wesley Stephens and a group of enthusiasts from Croydon, Surrey, were hoping to enjoy a Sunday afternoon's sport on the fast-flowing River Tees, below High Force, at Bowlees, west of Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham.

But he broke his leg when he slipped on wet rocks climbing down to the river, near the Winch Bridge, and had to be airlifted to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Firefighters from Middleton and Barnard Castle helped an ambulance crew carry Mr Stephens to safety.

Leading firefighter Dennis Dowson said: "The rocks were wet and it was very slippery. It was quite steep."