THE coastguard has warned visitors to stay away from the edge of crumbling cliffs at a popular beauty spot.

Birling Gap coastguard shared a photo of a weakened section of cliff near Belle Tout Lighthouse at Beachy Head, Eastbourne and urged people travelling to the area to stay safe.

A spokesman for the service said: “Please do not stand near cliff edges and bases. We regularly share photos of some of the weaker sections of cliff.

“This one was taken by one of our team near the Belle Tour Lighthouse which seems to be a popular spot for people to stand on the edge for a view or photo.

“Our message is please don’t. You could be standing on a section like this and be totally unaware. These sections could give way at any moment.

“In a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

In the past year there have been almost 50 cliff falls in East Sussex, as well as 13 incidents of people being stranded on the beach after being cut off by the tide.

While a lot of people have been taking to the clifftops and going for beachside walks during the pandemic, the numbers are expected to rise as the weather improves and lockdown restrictions are eased.

Despite monitoring, the vast majority of cliff falls happen suddenly with no warning signs.

Last month, Newhaven Coastguard issued a similar warning after a dog died after falling from the cliff at Seaford Head.

There was a large cliff fall at the same stretch of cliffs in March.

Rainy weather in February caused cliff tops to become crumbly and unstable, with coastguard crews responding to a series of dangerous incidents as a result.

A large gap which opened up in the coastal path between Seaford Head and Hope Gap had to be cordoned off.