Safety warnings as people told to avoid cliff edge

Visitors to some of East Sussex's cliffs are being reminded to keep a safe distance from the edge.

People pictured at Birling Gap near Eastbourne on Sunday could be seen standing close to the edge of the cliffs, which can be prone to collapse as they are made of soft chalk.

It comes after similar warnings at Seaford Head.

Janice Dykes, of the National Coastwatch, told BBC South East Today: "It might look like a lovely walk from the top, but they can't know what is under their feet from the top."

She added: "Some cracks can be 10m (32.8ft) or 15m (49.2ft) long."

East Sussex's Seven Sisters cliffs can be "very fragile", according to the National Trust which looks after Birling Gap.

Chalk cliffs are already soft and can be softened further by heavy rain, and undercut by high winds and waves.

In January, two families became stranded on Birling Gap beach after a cliff fall which damaged the steps down to the beach.

The National Trust advises people to stay at least 5m (16.4ft) away from the edge of the cliffs in order to make sure that they are safe.

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