The West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team had a busy day on Saturday patrolling hotspots, giving safety advice about cliff falls and a suspected ordnance.

From 10.30am, the team was conducting high visibility patrols, paying particular attention to known incident hotspots.

Just after 1pm coastguards arrived at Seatown to inspect the area around the recent large cliff fall but a member of the public reported that there had just been an additional small cliff fall with persons at risk on the beach below.

A spokesman for West Bay Coastguard said: "A quick binocular search revealed that despite warnings from Dorset Council and new signage, there were around 10 persons, including children, in the direct vicinity of the large cliff fall, with a further six persons on the fall's debris trying to navigate a way around.

"Solent Coastguard was updated and the officers immediately set out on foot along the beach to warn the members of the public and shepherd people back to an area of safety.

"On arrival at the scene, further recent cliff falls were evident and strong safety advice was given to all those in attendance."

Officers stayed on scene until the people navigating the cliff fall were back on the beach where further safety advice was issued.

The spokesman added: "The cliffs surrounding the recent large fall remain unstable and further cliff falls could happen at any time and without warning.

"Members of the public are advised to stay well away from the immediate area and admire the scene from a distance.

"The beach between Seatown and Eype is cut off and safe navigation of the debris is not possible and should not be attempted.

"The debris extends into the sea, remains loose and entrapment by wet clay and mud is now also a risk as was evident by the clothing of those who were attempting it."

At 3pm on the same day, coastguards were finishing their patrol when they were called to West Bexington after a report from Dorset Police about an item of suspected ordnance on the beach.

Pictures and measurements were taken for assessment by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and a safety cordon put in place.

EOD reported that the pictures and measurements were inconclusive and they would be attending and further coastguard officers from West Bay were paged to help with the safety cordon. The Army EOD arrived at around 6pm.

The spokesman said: "Happy that the item was not ordnance and there was no danger to public or property, the area was re-opened and the item left in place to be covered by th incoming tide.

"The officers then all stood down to return to station.

"Stay safe on the coast, but if you find yourself in difficulty, or if you see something that gives you cause for concern, do not hesitate, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."

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