Visitors urged to obey hazard signs and avoid cliffs and beaches with cliff backdrops.

Visitors to the Jurassic coastline are urged to avoid cliffs and beaches with cliff backdrops following a landslide near Burton Bradstock.

The leader of West Dorset District Council, Robert Gould, said: “The district council, in line with advice from the Dorset Local Resilience Forum, is advising residents and visitors to West Dorset to avoid cliffs and beaches with a cliff backdrop until further notice.

“Main bathing beaches, such as Lyme Regis and Charmouth, remain open but signs have been put up to restrict access at beaches with cliffs behind them. Footpaths at the top of cliffs which are high risk are also being closed on a temporary basis.

“The county geologist is continuing to assess the coastline and other areas will be closed or reopened depending on circumstances.

“All visitors to the coastline are urged to obey these signs and existing display boards which warn about hazards on the coast, such as rockfalls.”

The landslide occurred yesterday (Tuesday) and the body of a woman was located by rescue teams. Her next of kin have been informed along with the coroner.