PEOPLE are being warned that ‘disaster can strike at any time’ after a woman and her dog were pictured climbing on the remains of an old rockfall on the Jurassic Coast.

Temperatures are expected to soar to 26°C this week in west Dorset and coastguards are pleading with the public to admire the coast from a distance to prevent them being put in danger – as rockfalls can take place throughout the summer.

A small rockfall took place at East Beach in Charmouth overnight on Tuesday.

The pictures were taken by West Bay resident John Green, who saw a woman and her dog under East Cliff.

Mr Green said: “I went onto West Bay beach to capture the sunset and was stunned to find a couple digging a cave into the cliffs just below the area that had a recent fall.

“I cannot understand the mentality of these people. Now they have weakened that area, how long before it gives way again?”

Safety pleas from coastguards and safety officers are still being ignored – with people continuing to risk their lives near unstable cliffs.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

DANGER: Climbing on a rock fall at West Bay. Picture by John Green

Walkers have also been spotted ignoring warning signs between West Bay and Eype, and pictured close to the edge of a cliff.

During the summer of 2012, 22-year-old holidaymaker Charlotte Blackman was killed by a rockfall on Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock. At the inquest her father Kevin said the fall happened ‘in the blink of an eye’.

Sam Scriven, earth science advisor for the Jurassic Coast Team, said: “Unfortunately, it is something we see every year.

“We would always recommend that people stay away from the fragile and unpredictable cliffs. We love that people come and enjoy the coastline, but people really need to respect the dangers that are out there.

“It is always best to admire the cliffs from a safe distance and not put yourself in a situation where you could be in danger.”

As the weather hots up, thousands are expected to visit the west Dorset coastline this summer. Although research has shown landslips can be brought on by extreme weather such as storms – rock falls can take place at any time during the year.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

A past rock fall at Charmouth 

“Disaster can strike at any time – particularly at the cliffs at West Bay, Burton Bradstock and Eype,” added Mr Scriven. “They can collapse at a moment’s notice.

“There are warning signs along the coastline, but because we have different land owners along the coast, they can differ from place to place. The best thing people can do is admire the cliffs from a safe distance and to take any warnings seriously.”