Cliff warning over risks by Beachy Head sightseers

Dozens of people photographed from a distance dangerously close to the edge of chalk cliffs at Beachy Head in East Sussex.Image source, Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Team
Image caption,

People were photographed dangerously close to the edge of cliffs at Beachy Head

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Coastguards have warned sightseers to keep away from cliff edges, after dozens of people were photographed dangerously close to the edge of Beachy Head in East Sussex.

The photos were taken on Sunday, when Eastbourne was hosting its annual Airbourne air show.

A similar warning was issued in March, when a large crack appeared close to the Belle Tout lighthouse, while in April coaches were banned from dropping off and picking up passengers at Birling Gap.

Some of the visitors spotted on Sunday had crossed a safety rope several feet from the cliff edge.

Two people, their faces blurred, lie on the edge of the cliffs at Beachy Head looking over the edge, with the safety rope clearly closer to the camera.Image source, Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Team
Image caption,

People were photographed beyond the safety ropes, which mark the safest distance to stand from the edge of the cliffs

In October a section of cliff collapsing at Birling Gap was captured on film.

The Coastguard described cliffs as "inherently unstable", with weather and the sea constantly eroding them.

If the base of a cliff becomes eroded, it said, someone standing on the edge above it is "practically standing on nothing".

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