HM Coastguard is warning of the continuing dangers of rock falls and landslides on the Dorset coast after a major rock fall near Charmouth on Wednesday, 8 August.

Lyme Regis and West Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams, the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Portland and Dorset Police attended the scene following a report of a significant rock fall to the east of Charmouth. A vessel at sea had seen the fall and witnessed five people on the beach between Charmouth and Golden Cap despite all the recent warnings. Lyme Regis RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and Weymouth Coastguard Sector Manager, who were in the vicinity, also attended.

On arrival on scene the five people were identified, accounted for and asked to leave the area due to the continued risk. It was established that there were no other people missing.

Maddy Davey, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager said: "The cliffs along the West Dorset coast are very unstable following the extensive rain earlier this year and in certain areas it remains extremely unsafe to walk along the beach.  We are especially concerned about the risk after the death which happened in July at Burton Bradstock.”