A British man was left in a critical condition after he and his lover fell from a balcony while having sex.

The unnamed man, 30, and his Canadian lover, 28, were having a "passionate sex session" on a balcony that placed them in full glare of anyone watching. In the process, they fell 12ft in the resort of Le Cannet, near Cannes in the South of France.

They fell over the railings at around 12.30am on Saturday, August 17, and were rushed to Pasteur Hospital, Nice.

The woman reportedly suffered minor injuries because she was cushioned by the man's body when they landed.

An investigator said: "The couple were seen making love on the balcony of their holiday rental flat. They were becoming very passionate indeed, and suddenly toppled from the first floor of the villa into the street below. Neighbours called the emergency services immediately."

Police are now investigating whether the couple were drunk or on drugs and nobody else is believed to have been involved.