The 22-year-old slipped off a railing and fell to the beach below.

He is now recovering from head, back, leg and arm injuries in Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Police, ambulance and the coastguard were called to the scene just before 8.30pm on Monday, but on arrival paramedics found they could not access the beach.

A spokesman for the Coastguard Agency said: "At that height you hit the water or ground like concrete. He was lucky.

"The paramedics couldn't get their vehicles on to the beach so Lytham Coastguard sent a 4x4. The rescue team took him off the beach and put him in the ambulance."

Blackpool Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.

A spokesman said: "The man was sat on a railing and has fallen off. It is being treated as an accident. Witness statements state he appeared to slip off."

Det Insp Sue Cawley added: "We have extreme sympathy for the man involved in this accident and his family.

"This incident highlights the dangers people can face when on piers and I would encourage people to be cautious and always think about their safety."

The injured man, who has not been named but is from Blackburn, was today said to be in a stable condition.

Staff at Central Pier say visitors are constantly reminded of the health and safety precautions they should take.

A spokesman for Six Piers Ltd, the company which runs the resort's three world famous boardwalks, said: "Despite our constant vigilance, security and health and safety advice to patrons who visit the piers it was sad to see that on this unique occasion the individual concerned mis-judged the consequence of his behaviour.

"This incident only serves to highlight that due care and consideration and above all common sense must be adhered to when visiting seaside attractions."

Local residents and tourists were today reminded of the potential dangers surrounding the coast line.

A spokesman for the Coastguard Agency added: "With the wind and rain as it is at the moment, people should take great care. They need to keep away from the front promenade and slippery surfaces."