Route to beach closed due to sand cliff risk

Recent high tides have further worn away the sand dunes at Crantock beach

One of the main routes onto a Cornish beach has been closed due to the risk of collapsing sand cliffs.

Access over the sand dunes at Crantock beach, near Newquay, has been cordoned off.

The National Trust said the beach remained open and could be accessed using a path around the dunes.

It urged people to "stay clear from the base of the sand cliffs" and not allow children to play near them.

Many people usually access the beach across sand dunes that have been cordoned off

Earlier this year emergency services warned that shifting sand dunes at the beach posed an "unprecedented" danger.

Big Green Surf School, which is based beside the beach, said on Facebook on Saturday: "Dunes got smashed last night on the high-tide.

"They’re super unstable and old fencing is beginning to emerge with sharp wire attached.

"Please stay away from the dunes and don’t attempt to walk over the dunes from the car park - you’ll be met with a 10ft drop on the other side."

People are being told to keep off the sand dunes, and away from the base of them

RNLI lifeguards are no longer operating for the season and Crantock Surf Lifesaving Club is also there less frequently during the winter.

The National Trust said: “The beach at Crantock remains accessible and we ask visitors to use the main, level path from the right corner of the car park.

"This avoids any need to scramble over sand dunes and to descend any sheer or steep slopes on them.

“The sand dunes at Crantock are constantly changing due to weather and sea conditions and most years we see the dunes shift and change.

“With the recent weather and particularly dramatic spring tides, we ask that visitors take extra care around the dune system."

Lewis Timson, from the RNLI, said the dunes were "extremely unstable"

There are signs at the beach telling people the best way to access the beach and to keep away from the sand cliffs.

Lewis Timson, from the RNLI, said: "The only access we want you to use is the ground level access which is in the right-hand corner of the car park.

"Do not try and access the beach through any of the elevated walking points.

"It is collapsing as we are looking at it. It is extremely unstable.

"Stay well away from the sand dunes. Please don't let your children or animals near them."