Two students were seriously injured after plunging around 40 feet from cliffs on to rocks on St Andrews sea front after a night out.

Stewart McFarlane, 19, leapt over security railings near the St Andrews Sea Life Centre unaware of the sheer drop on the other side.

A friend, Neil Graham,19, climbed over the fence to look for him and also plunged headlong down the cliff-face.

Other student friends raised the alarm and HM Coastguard officers, police and ambulancemen raced to the scene.

Mr McFarlane, of City Road, St Andrews, was discovered lying unconscious and bleeding on the rocks, while Mr Graham, also of City Road, was found wandering in a dazed condition.

Both were taken to Dundee's Ninewells Hospital. Mr McFarlane, from Edinburgh, suffered multiple head, leg and back injuries, and Mr Graham, of St Andrews, leg and back injuries.