Further cliff falls occur at Seatown Beach

Members of the West Bay Coastguard team were conducting a patrol of the area on Saturday, April 17 following a huge landslip earlier in the week.

A member of the public reported that there had been an another smaller cliff fall onto the beach below where around ten people - including children - were in direct vicinity of the large cliff fall, with a further six people on the debris of the fall trying to navigate a way around.

The coastguard reported that there was clear evidence of further cliff falls in the area - as experts had warned following the original landslip.

Officers made their way on to the beach and led the people back to safety.

The cliff fall is believed to have occured between Monday night and Tuesday morning Picture: James Loveridge Photography

A spokesman for West Bay Coastguard said: "Whilst arriving at Seatown to inspect the area around the recent large cliff fall, a member of the public reported that there had just been an additional small cliff fall with persons at risk on the beach below.

"Officers immediately set out on foot along to the beach to warn the members of the public and shepherd people back to an area of safety.

"On arrival at the scene, further recent cliff falls were evident and strong safety advice was given to all those in attendance.

"Officers stayed on scene until the persons navigating the cliff fall debris were back on the beach where further safety advice was issued."

Geomorphologist Professor Denys Brunsden explained that the cliff fall was caused by a number of factors, including storms and water build up on the clay Picture: James Loveridge Photography

This comes after a huge landslip between Seatown and Eype Beach – said to be one of the biggest cliff collapses in the area in decades.

It happened overnight on Monday, completely blocking the beach. Thousands of tonnes of rock and debris came crashing down, along with trees some of which fell into the sea and could now pose a hazard.

Dorset Council and a number of geologists warned in the aftermath of the landslip that further falls are expected - and urged residents to stay clear of the area.

The spokesman added: "The cliffs surrounding the recent large fall remain unstable and further cliff falls could happen at any time and without warning.

Residents are being urged to stay way from the area as more cracks have formed and further falls are expected Picture: James Loveridge Photography

"Members of the public are advised to stay well away from the immediate area and admire the scene from a distance.

"The beach between Seatown and Eype is cut off and safe navigation of the debris is not possible and should not be attempted.

"The debris extends into the sea, remains loose, and entrapment by wet clay and mud is now also a risk as was evident by the clothing of those who were attempting it."