MUSICIAN Geoff Smith has been hailed a hero for saving the life of a woman threatening to jump from 100ft cliffs.

Mr Smith spent more than 90 minutes befriending the distressed woman before grabbing her and pulling her from the edge.

Police have praised the 37-year-old. A spokesman said: "There is no doubt she would have fallen had it not been for Mr Smith's efforts. He was tremendous."

The woman was sat on the cliff at Brighton Marina, her feet dangling over the edge, when Mr Smith spotted her from the undercliff walk below.

He was enjoying an evening walk with his brother when the woman shouted down: "Excuse me, what's the time? I'm going to jump at 9 o'clock."

Chalk and debris from the cliff edge trickled down as Mr Smith, of Hollingbury Park Avenue, Brighton, began talking to her while his brother called the police.

Officers arrived but she became more distressed and they asked Mr Smith to try to talk her round.

Mr Smith, a singer and composer who is taking a Phd in music, drove to the cliff top and climbed half-way through a fence, just feet from the edge.

He said: "She was depressed and had had some terrible experiences - she needed professional help.

"I sympathised with her, and spoke about my experiences, and held out my hand, pleading with her to take it."

Now shaking with cold, the woman appeared to start to fall asleep and began slipping.

He said: "She went very quiet and her hands were trembling. I told her 'Don't go to sleep', and then saw my chance.

"I edged slightly behind her so she could not see me and then moved really fast. She was slipping over but I managed to get her arm.

"She woke up immediately but by then two policemen were there to help. She was struggling and I thought at one point that her jacket would come away in my hand.

"Then I got a really good grip and gave a big pull, and we got her through the fence."

The woman was taken to Brighton police station and seen by a doctor. Mr Smith, who has played in local bands and writes film scores, followed her to the John Street station and spoke to her later over coffee in an interview room.

Mr Smith said he never thought about the danger and does not consider himself a hero: "I just felt sorry for her and was glad to help."

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