Landslide-hit Newquay beach closed after further cracks found

About 100 tonnes of debris fell on to the road leading to the Great Western Beach in Newquay

A beach which was closed after a landslide will remain shut for the summer months after engineers found further cracks in the cliff.

In February, about 100 tonnes of debris fell on to the access road at Great Western Beach in Newquay.

Engineers believe there is a risk of further rock falls and Cornwall Council has closed the road at both ends - the only public access to the beach.

Cornwall councillor Geoff Brown said it was "very disappointing".

'Worst possible news'

The cracks have opened up both in the access road and on the cliff above the beach complex.

Beach huts have been evacuated and the surf school is thought to have relocated.

Mr Brown said: "It's the worst possible news we could have had, but public safety comes first."

No-one was injured and no properties damaged in the landslide

"It is regrettable that these works will now need to be conducted out of season, probably commencing mid-October.

"Talks are ongoing with the RNLI and coastguard to ensure that safety cover for the beach is still provided and that in a cut-off emergency, [people] can still be safely evacuated from the beach."

The beach can be accessed from Towan and Tolcarne at low tide, but the authority has urged beachgoers to take extra care to avoid getting cut off.