Cliff collapses on to beach promenade

Tonnes of rock and soil near the East Cliff Lift fell away engulfing the promenade below

A landslip has partially blocked a section of promenade and left several shipping containers submerged in debris.

The fall happened near the lift at East Cliff, Bournemouth, on Thursday at about 10:45 GMT.

One container has been shoved across the path and two are enveloped in rubble from the large fall, which has also damaged a catering hut and four beach huts.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said a cordon and fencing had been put in place, restricting access.

The area of cliff has been left bare after the landslide on Thursday morning

Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said the council's flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) team "were assessing the situation at the site".

It is the third landslide in just over a month to happen on the cliffside at Bournemouth beach.

Landslips on 9 and 19 October left about 14 beach huts strewn across the edge of the beach at Durley Chine, west of Bournemouth Pier.

The herd of about 50 goats that graze the steep cliffs between West Cliff and Southbourne have not been affected by the landslips.

A stretch of the promenade has been fenced off by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP)