Mundesley cliff collapse: Safety warning issued to walkers

The two people and two dogs could have became trapped in the mix of clay, soil and sand, the coastguard station manager said

A warning has been issued by coastguards after people were photographed walking on fallen cliffs.

A section of cliff at Mundesley, in Norfolk, collapsed overnight on 8 and 9 December, after excessive rainfall.

HM Coastguard Bacton said it had received a report of two people on the mound, which it described as extremely dangerous.

Station manager Pete Revell said: "It's a simple message, keep away, don't be stupid."

He posted an image on Facebook showing two people and two dogs on the landslide of clay, mud and vegetation on the beach.

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Mr Revell said the pair had deliberately walked on the fallen cliff, as the tide was out when they were pictured at about 13:30 GMT on Thursday.

"They could have gone round it," he added.

"The cliff is still moving and could collapse further, there is no knowing what will happen.

"It's extremely dangerous - the stuff that comes down and piles up is a muddy mix of clay, soil and sand.

"You can tread on it, but before you know it you are sinking down and you can't get out."

He said a "prime example" was the case of a woman who had to be winched to safety at the base of a cliff at Trimingham, near Cromer, on 1 January 2016.

"She had gone after her dog and got stuck in the mud, and it was up to us to get her out," he added.