A 26-YEAR-OLD woman died after plunging over a cliff in West Dorset.

Police praised four men who attempted to talk to the woman at the top of the cliff near West Bay before she fell.

Her body was discovered at the foot of cliffs between Freshwater and West Bay this morning.

Police are investigating but say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Officers and coastguards were called at around 8am this morning to reports of a woman having gone over a cliff between Freshwater and West Bay.

On arrival, they discovered the body of a woman.

A cordon was set up in the area.

Speaking at the scene, Dorset Police patrol inspector Geoff Hicks said the woman involved was believed to be a 26-year-old woman from Devon.

He said: “Ambulance crews were called at 8:02am yesterday morning. We responded to reports of a woman found at the bottom of the cliff.

“A body was located and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the ambulance service.”

He said the next of kin were not yet aware but police were making inquiries in Devon in relation to this.

Dorset Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner had been notified.

Councillor John Russell, who represents Burton Bradstock on West Dorset District Council said: “It’s unbelievably sad that someone has died.

“Our thoughts and condolences go to the family at this time.

“This sadly isn’t the first time this sort of thing has happened at Burton but it’s still a real shock.”

Bridport police inspector Mike Darby said he wished to thank four Bridport men who were playing golf nearby and tried to help the woman.

He said: “Thank you to those who spoke to the woman; trying to get her to realise the dangers of standing too close to the cliff edge.

“The four local men were playing golf nearby when they saw the woman standing close to the edge of the cliff.”

The Rev Philip Ringer, vice-chairman of Churches Together in Bridport, said: “I cannot begin to imagine how this young woman’s family and friends must be feeling at this tragic news.

“My thoughts and prayers go to all concerned, especially the emergency services that sadly are called out in these cases to break the tragic news to family and friends.”