A 71-year-old man cracked a rib after falling down a bank trying to get around ’ridiculous’ new gates separating two caravan parks.

Holidaymaker Paul Taylor was walking his dog at 8am on Wednesday when he attempted to cross from Bigbury Bay park to Parkdean at Challaborough in Devon.

But gates installed last week at Parkdean were closed and while attempting to get around them he slipped and fell down a steep bank.

Parkdean wished him a "very speedy recovery".

Paul, who has been coming to Bigbury Bay park since he was 18, said: "The gates were still closed so I tried to find another way round.

"They are such a stupid thing and this would not have happened without them.

"The only other way to the beach is via the road which is a death trap.

"They have just caused misery and what happened to me could be the first of many accidents."

The gates were closed with a security guard in attendance when they were put in, but Parkdean relented after protests and they are now open from 8am to 10pm.

Parkdean said in a statement: "We are aware of an accident that happened on Wednesday morning, where a member of the public attempted to climb through gates on our park which have been installed for the safety and security of our owners and holiday guests.

"Unfortunately there was an injury, the team on park supported with first aid until the emergency services attended and we wish the member of the public a very speedy recovery."

Paul was treated for a cracked rib and a head injury at Kingsbridge Minor Injuries Unit and discharged later.

Ian Bould, who has a caravan at Bigbury Bay, is taking the matter to Ringmore Parish Council where he is hoping to persuade councillors to back a call to take the gates down.