THERE has been "very little movement" in unstable cliffs above Lyme Regis over the last year as local authorities continue to monitor landslips.

Lyme Regis Town Council continues to watch the cliffs at Monmouth Beach and Ware Cliff for movement, and has enlisted the help of geotechnical engineer Peter Chapman of PCRM Consultancy.

Town clerk John Wright said that if any issues are found they will be brought to the council's attention.

In PCRM Consultancy's latest report, Mr Chapman said: "Generally there has been very little movement over the past year.

"The monitoring indicates some continued minor movement of the slopes where the chalets were lost during the winter of 2012/13. The small amount of movement in these areas is probably due to the relatively dry winter.

"The area above the upper track on Ware Cliff has continued to move as expected. It was fully anticipated that removal of old landslip debris from this area would be followed by a continued movement and accumulation of landslip/weathering debris. This is what has occurred."

Speaking at last week's strategy and finance committee meeting, Cllr Brian Larcombe asked if the town council was "keeping an eye" on movement in cliffs above the new sea wall to the east of the town. Last year, the new sea wall promenade was temporary closed by West Dorset District Council after several small landslips occurred.

Cllr John Russell, the district council's executive portfolio holder for environmental protection and assets, said that although there has been "no significant movement", due to persistent rain in recent weeks, landslips could take place.

He said: "We are routinely monitoring the coastal slopes, defences and beaches and will respond as necessary to any situation that may develop.

“Recent inspections of the slopes have revealed no movement above the sea wall where stabilisation measures have been introduced and no significant movement above the sea wall where there are no stabilisation measures. At this moment in time we are not looking to close the promenade, however, with the quantities of rain we have seen in recent weeks there is a possibility of slumping occurring. We will continue to monitor.

“We would advise the public to remain vigilant and read the warning signs as landslips can occur at any time.”