A WOMAN has died in hospital after falling from a cliff in Swanage on Saturday.

The victim, who was in her 50s and local to the area, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital after sustaining "very serious head and chest injuries" at Peveril Point.

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed the woman had died on Sunday.

"We are very sorry to have to inform you that the lady passed away this morning from her injuries," the spokesperson said yesterday.

Police, ambulance crews and the coastguard all rushed to the scene at 2.30pm on Saturday after being alerted to the incident by one of the duty watch keepers from the National Coastwatch lookout nearby.

The victim was comforted by one of the watchkeepers from the station until the rest of the rescue services arrived.

Dorset Police said the woman's family have been informed.

Chief inspector Bob Acaster said emergency services had "worked hard in very difficult weather" to rescue the woman from the cliff.

An update on Swanage Coastguard's website said: "Emergency services responded to a concern for welfare this afternoon following reports a woman had gone over the cliffs at Peveril Point.

"Coastguard Rescue Officers from Swanage and St Albans were tasked along with Dorset Police officers and the ambulance service.

"A local woman aged in her 50s was airlifted from the cliffs by the Coastguard helicopter and taken to King George's field where she was treated by paramedics.

"She sustained very serious head and chest injuries and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by the air ambulance."

It added: "We would also like to confirm that despite local social media reports the incident did not involve a child."