Crowds at Maenporth clapped on Monday as the search and rescue helicopter rescued a man who had become stuck on cliffs near the beach.

Falmouth coastguard cliff rescue team were called, along with the new rescue helicopter, after the man became trapped on cliffs near to the wreck of the Ben Asdale.

One eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said: "We saw the coastguard with their flashing lights, and they couldn't reach this person.

"They called the helicopter and within about ten minutes they had sent somebody down to rescue the person.

"The whole beach was stood up watching them, it was quite dramatic to see."

Another witness, described the whole beach clapping the helicopter after it had done its job, calling it "a nice touch."

Falmouth Coastguard said the man had been walking and slipped, before trying to go further down to escape and getting stuck.

He called 999 from his mobile phone and asked for the coastguard, giving a detailed description of his location.

Two coastguard officers cut a path of around 30 meters towards the cliff edge, before the new coastguard helicopter R924 arrived and sent a winchman down to secure the man.

He was found to be uninjured, and landed in a field above the cliff.