A YOUNG girl has told how she had to be rescued after falling on to rocks beside the sea.

Twelve-year-old Jessica Robbins, of Heckington, near Sleaford, was hauled into a canoe and paddled to safety after she was spotted on the jagged rocks with a cut leg.

The Kesteven and Sleaford High School pupil was playing on the marina wall at Marine Lake in Clevedon, North Somerset, when the accident happened.

Jessica, who has fully recovered from her ordeal earlier this month, has now said thank-you to Clevedon Canoe Club member Steve Holland who rescued her.

"I was frightened. Luckily, the people from the canoe club were on the lake and they could see I was upset and they came and asked me if I was okay," she said.

"That's when they realised I had hurt myself. I want to say thank you to them for what they did. The incident at Marine Lake was a drama I did not expect to have this summer holiday."

Jessica had been enjoying a day out with her grandmother, Margaret White, when the fall left her with a bad cut from the thigh to the ankle of her right leg.

She had been walking with her friend, Laura, along a wall that backs onto an area of rocks which become covered by water when the tide is in.

The friends had been warned not to play in the area as the wall would be slippery and the tide was out, meaning there was no water to break a fall.

After slipping, Jessica was too scared to attempt to walk to safety in case she again fell on the slimy rocks.

Instead, the tearful youngster sat on the lake wall with Laura, who refused to leave her side, until she was spotted by members of Clevedon Canoe Club who had been training on the lake.

Mr Holland, 46, who is also a member of the Clevedon Coastguard team, said he jumped into an Indian canoe to rescue the stricken youngster.

"We were on the lake training when we became aware a young girl had hurt herself and sustained some nasty cuts to her leg," he said. "We were very happy to be able to help."

She was initially treated at Clevedon Cottage Hospital, but transferred to Weston General Hospital for further checks.

Apart from cuts and bruises, Jessica escaped serious injury and was allowed to go home.

Jessica was in the area for five weeks as part of an annual summer trip to see her grandparents.

Grandmother Mrs White said: "The members of Clevedon Canoe Club were brilliant and I am very grateful to them for rescuing Jessica and then dressing her wound."