A HAMPSHIRE activity centre has been ordered to pay £230,000 after an 11-year-old girl was left hanging by the neck during a school trip.

As previously reported, YMCA Fairthorne Manor, near Botley, was convicted of failing to ensure the safety of the girl, who is believed to have been from Sherborne House School near Chandler's Ford, after the incident on a rope bridge in July 2012.

The organisation had denied two charges brought by Winchester City Council.

Now, a judge at Portsmouth Crown Court has fined Fairthorne Manor £30,000, and ordered them to pay £200,000 in costs, which will be covered by insurance.

Winchester City Council chief executive Laura Taylor is currently holding a press conference following the sentence.

More to follow.