A CYCLIST with a suspected spinal injury after a fall was helped by Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.

The 32-year-old was injured while cycling near Armathwaite in the Eden Valley.

The alarm was raised just before 3pm yesterday by Cumbria Police.

The rescue team, along with two doctors, responded to the call and were helped by a local BEEP Doctor.

After assessing the casualty team members evacuated him by stretcher from the woods to a team vehicle. The man was then transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for treatment.

The two-and-a-half hour rescue involved 29 team members.