Landslip fears close Portland's Tout to Blacknor coast path

A number of areas in Swanage have also seen land movements

A section of coastal path in Dorset has been temporarily closed owing to the threat of landslides, following recent heavy rainfall.

Dorset County Council said there was "evidence of substantial landslide movement" on the path between Tout and Blacknor on Portland.

The authority also reported rock fall on slopes below the bridge north of Blacknor.

The path will be diverted further inland from Friday.

'Extreme rainfall'

The decision follows a number of landslips and mudslides in the county, including one in Lyme Regis in December which left a beach chalet dangling over the edge of a cliff.

A spokesperson for the council's coastal rangers team said: "Experience has shown that these landslides can be slow and progressive but quite clearly they could also collapse quickly and unexpectedly, especially after such extreme rainfall."

Charlotte Blackman, 22, from Heanor, Derbyshire died on 24 July after the 160ft (49m) high cliff above her collapsed onto Hive Beach near Burton Bradstock.

Five people escaped unhurt after a landslide on 8 August between Charmouth and Golden Cap.

The county council said the path between Tout and Blacknor would be closed for "the next few months", while monitoring and repairs are carried out.

The coast path between Burton Freshwater and Hive Beach is also currently closed and being diverted inland.