An opera singer has been taken to hospital after falling into the orchestra pit during a performance.

Soprano Ana María Martínez was playing the title role in Rusalka at Glyndebourne in Firle, near Lewes.

She was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The audience was briefly asked to leave the theatre until the performance resumed with an understudy.

In a statement Glyndebourne said: "The performance of Rusalka was stopped just before the end of Act 1 following an accident on the stage involving Ana María Martínez.

"Miss Martínez fell into the orchestra pit. Despite Ana María wanting to continue with the performance, she was immediately taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

"Fortunately, no-one else was hurt in this incident."