A MAN has been left with "serious injuries" after a car went over the edge of a cliff in South Tyneside.

Police said they received a report that the vehicle had gone over the cliffs at The Leas at about 7.30am today.

A force spokesman added that the injuries suffered by the sole occupant of the car are "not believed to be life-threatening at this time".

The statement read: "At about 7.30am today police received a report that a car had gone over the edge of the cliffs at The Leas.

"Emergency services attended and found a vehicle at the bottom of the cliffs.

"The coastguard were able to bring the sole occupant of the vehicle to safety and he has been taken to hospital."

It added: "He has serious injuries but they are not believed to be life-threatening at this time."

The force said that enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

The Leas is a large area of land around coastal cliffs in South Shields.

Popular with dog walkers and runners, it has acted as the finishing line in the annual Great North Run.