THIS picture shows the moment lifeboat volunteers reached a man who had fallen 100ft down a cliff in Torquay.

Shot on a helmet camera, the image shows Torbay Inshore Lifeboat crew member Matt Maxted first ashore and discovering the 53-year-old artist from Orpington, Kent, who was lying injured among the rocks at the bottom of cliffs at the Kilmorie end of Meadfoot Sea Road.

The man, who has not been named was on holiday with his wife and is understood to have slipped when he was looking at places he wanted to draw.

Mr Maxted was joined by Dr Alex Rowe and Darryll Farley aboard the D-class inshore lifeboat John William Hirst.

The artist had suffered serious injuries and was conscious and talking, but coastguards who co-ordinated the entire rescue effort from their Brixham base said he had sustained a head injury, a broken leg and arm during his fall.

RNLI crew member and GP Dr Rowe administered immediate medical help to the stricken man and a decision was taken to call in the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Portland to evacuate the man.

The artist was understood to be stable in hospital on Thursday afternoon.

To view the RNLI lifeboat rescue footage on video visit www.thisis southdevon.co.uk