THERE has been a surge in visitor numbers to cliff top areas in the past few days, despite safety warnings to stay away.
East Sussex County Council has reported an increase in the number of visitors at chalk cliffs in the county, such as the Seven Sisters cliffs.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the council said: "We are working with South Downs National Park Authority, National Trust, Wealden District Council, Lewes District Council, Eastbourne Borough Council and the Coastguard to make visitors aware of the dangers of the crumbly chalk and the tides.
"Chunks can and do fall off without warning and people get cut off by the tide at the base of cliffs.
"Do not stand near to cliff edges or bases."
The council reported a cliff fall at Birling Gap on Wednesday, in which a large piece of chalk crumbled away and fell down onto the beach below.
Yesterday, a man was found dead on the shore at Splashpoint, off Cliff Road, in Seaford.
READ MORE: Body found on beach at Splashpoint in Seaford
Police said the man's death is currently being treated as unexplained.
It comes after a warning from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) earlier this week that unsafe cliff edges could "crumble away" underneath walkers' feet.
The MCA issued a statement after three people were seen standing a few feet away from the sheer rock face at Cuckmere Haven, near Seaford.
The MCA urged people not take unnecessary risks and said: "Be careful when walking on cliff top paths or down on the beach if you are walking below cliffs.
“Give the cliffs a wide berth and take note of any warning signs in place.
“Do not get yourself too close to cliff edges, as they could be unstable and crumble away under your feet.
SEE ALSO: Warning not to go near unstable cliffs on Sussex coastline
“Some sections of the UK coastline are particularly vulnerable to cliff cracks, cliff falls and landslips and these tend to be more frequent after heavy rain which has fallen on already saturated land.
“In a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
The MCA also reminded people not to be tempted to risk taking selfies near cliff edges or large waves for social media, while dog-walkers are urged to keep their pets on a lead.
Huge cracks formed at the top of the cliffs at Birling Gap in September.
But despite the dangers from the erosion, visitors were pictured posing on the damaged cliff tops.
Under the new national lockdown restrictions, people should limit their exercise to once a day and not travel outside of their "local area", the Prime Minister announced yesterday.
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