WORRYING pictures show people dangling their legs off a cliff – the scene last week of one of the biggest landslides in decades.

As people are warned to keep away from the fragile coast around Seatown – and with further movement of the cliff at the weekend – an image has emerged showing two people sitting perilously close to the edge of a cliff above Seatown Beach.

They are sat just to the right of the cliff fall described by one resident as 'the biggest in 60 years'.

The picture was taken on Monday of this week, two days after West Bay Coastguard was called to the scene to take people, including children, off the beach at Seatown after a further cliff fall.

Luke Williams, who took the photograph, said: "They were sat very close to where the landslip happened. It's so clearly marked with signs I was pretty surprised to see them that close.

"The area is very well signed - I honestly don't think the National Trust could make it any clearer.

"Most people are making a good distance above and below the slide areas."

The landslip happened overnight on Monday, April 12, completely blocking the beach. Thousands of tonnes of rock and debris came crashing down, along with trees some of which fell into the sea.

In the direct aftermath of the landslip, Dorset Council warned that further falls are expected - and urged residents to stay clear of the area.

Further warnings have been issued over the past week as people continue to ignore the advice and walk at the top of the cliff - where more cracks have formed - and on the beach underneath the cliff.

Another small cliff fall was reported at West Bay at the weekend.

Matt Reeks, Dorset Council’s Service Manager for Coast & Greenspace, said: “The Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to visit, but it's important to use common sense and caution – stay away from the edge and base of cliffs and always pay attention to warning signs and safety messages.

"Rockfalls can, and do, happen at any time. The Jurassic Coast looks the way it does because of erosion - meaning it is always on the move.”

The council's advice is to stay away from the edge of the cliff top and admire the view from a safe distance, stay away from the base of cliffs, pay attention to warning signs, check tide times before you set off to avoid being cut off by incoming tides, be aware of mud flows extending across the beaches and to keep dogs on leads near the cliff edge.

Guy Kerr of the Jurassic Coast Trust said: "Our advice is still 'keep clear' and to admire the photos of it that are in the media at the moment.

"Further landslides could happen at any time so it is advised that anyone walking this section of the path takes caution and avoid going anywhere near the edge of the cliff.

"We also advise avoiding the area of the beach on which the landslide debris has fallen."

Another smaller cliff fall in the area was reported on Saturday, April 17, with members of the coastguard having to 'shepherd' members of public safely off the beach.

A spokesman for West Bay Coastguard said: "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.

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