Cliff fall danger warning after 'huge' collapse

A huge pile of smashed rocks at the base of a grey crumbling cliffImage source, West Dorset Forager/Chris Gasson
Image caption,

Chris Gasson said rocks were continuing to fall and urged people to stay away

  • Published

Visitors to the Jurassic Coast are being warned to stay away from a "huge" cliff fall, where more of the cliff face is predicted to come down in the coming days.

Part of the cliffs at Seatown, Dorset, collapsed on to the beach overnight, with debris continuing to fall on Monday morning.

The aftermath was captured on camera by coast guide Chris Gasson who described it as "huge" and urged visitors to give it a "wide berth".

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) at Lyme Bay urged people to stay away from the cliffs.

Mr Gasson of West Dorset Forager coastal tours said the collapse was on the west side of the beach.

He said: "It's been a really unstable face for about six months.

"People have got to be aware that it's very dangerous. More will come down."

A pile of rocks at the base of a crumbling grey cliff. In the foreground is a sandy coloured beach. Image source, West Dorset Forager/Chris Gasson
Image caption,

The section of cliff face has been unstable for six months

The incident comes days after another large fall three miles east of Seatown, at West Bay.

NCI station manager Judy Clark said: "Regardless of the amount of rock at Seatown, West Bay, or any other locations along the Devon-Dorset coastline, they are all extremely dangerous.

"The NCI's advice for visitors, who may not know the level of danger, is do not walk near the edge of the cliffs, do not walk near the base of the cliffs and certainly do not sit at the base of the cliffs.

"Heed the warnings. The cliffs are unstable, particularly after heavy rain and very dry weather - they can fall at any time."

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