Seaford: Tourists criticised over selfie at top of cliff

A man who captured the scene at Seaford Head said it was alarming to see the person standing right at the edge while their friend took a picture.

Philip Carter, from Horsham, was on a weekend trip to the coast when he noticed the woman just feet away from the edge on Bank Holiday Monday.

He said: "I was thinking just how idiotic it is.

"No picture is worth the risk. I had my heart in my mouth."

She was posing for a picture on the edge (Image: Philip Carter / The Argus Camera Club)

Philip, a 61-year-old operations manager, feared it could have ended in tragedy.

He said: "It was quite windy as well so just one gust and it could have been a disaster, she was just moments away from something going wrong."

There are huge cracks in the rock beneath where the woman was standing.

It comes after recent cliff falls at nearby Beachy Head where tonnes of chalk fell on to the lower beach.

Other tourists on the cliffs (Image: Philip Carter / The Argus Camera Club)

Lifeboat crews are also condemning the act.

Lewis Arnold, coxswain and mechanic at Newhaven RNLI, has previously said: ""With the sunny spring weather, we know everyone wants to get out and about and enjoy our beautiful coastline and the views.

"However the cliffs around our East Sussex coastline are made of chalk and can be very fragile with huge cracks appearing and rocks falling on those below.

"Please stand well back from cliff edges and keep your dog on a lead too as we want everyone to make it home safely after a great day out."

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East Sussex County Councillor Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said it was vital people took care on the cliffs.

She said: “We want people to be able to come to East Sussex and enjoy the beautiful surroundings but to do so safely.

“The cliffs are extremely unstable and prone to regular chalk falls, putting visitors at risk if they don’t take care when on top of the cliffs or on the beach below."