A MAN was taken to hospital with spinal injuries after he was rescued from cliffs near Hilbre Island. 

West Kirby and Hoylake lifeboats were launched on Monday afternoon after day-trippers reported seeing a man lying injured in the surf after slipping from the cliffs on Middle Eye.

West Kirby lifeboat medic Adrian Gregan was deployed into the surf and waded towards the casualty.

Hoylake lifeboat arrived on scene and transferred a crew member carrying oxygen onto the West Kirby lifeboat for transfer over to the crew members battling in the surf.

Also involved in the rescue were RNLI Beach Patrol, coastguards and a helicopter a helicopter from RAF Valley in Hilbre. 

On arrival of the helicopter, the 36-year-old casualty was winched aboard and taken to Aintree Hospital.

Lifeboat operations manager Dave Henshaw said: "I am proud of all of the three RNLI crews and our partners HM Coast Guard and RAF valley who were involved in today's excellently co-ordinated rescue and wishes the injured man a speedy recovery."