A SCHOOLBOY was plucked to safety by firefighters last night after becoming trapped 50ft up the face of a quarry at a beauty spot.

Eight-year-old Patrick Gallagher, from Willington, had been enjoying a day out with his mother at the Hill End picnic site on Bollihope Common between Stanhope and Middleton in County Durham.

He began to climb a shale slope, part of the network of quarries and former lead mine workings at the popular picnic spot, but became stuck.

His mum called the fire brigade, who used ropes and ladders to reach the boy.

Patrick stayed calm throughout the half-hour operation to bring him to safety.