Police risked their lives to save a 28-year-old woman as she stood on a crumbling cliff top.

Officers were called to the scene above Brighton Marina early on Tuesday, the day after hundreds of tons of chalk crashed on to the undercliff walk and Asda superstore car park.

Holes and cracks have appeared on the cliff top since the fall and officers found themselves stepping over them as they inched closer to the woman.

Sergeant Roger Fry, in charge of the operation, described the conditions as treacherous.

He said: "There were gaps in the ground and firefighters were warned not to go near them.

"They advised us to do the same for our own safety but we couldn't just leave the woman there."

Police spent 30 minutes trying to talk the woman away from the edge but she did not respond and threatened to jump.

Mr Fry and PC Greg Thompson darted forward and grabbed the woman and PCs Andrew Bennett and James Ward joined in to help restrain her.

She had been drinking and struggled and swore at her rescuers before she was led to safety.

Mr Fry said: "The area was in danger of further collapse at any moment."

He praised his fellow officers, saying: "They were very courageous."

Geologist John Cooper, manager of the Booth Museum in Dyke Road, said the cracks suggested more falls were imminent.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said work was continuing to clear loose debris in an attempt to prevent further falls.