A large landslide has occurred on the eastern side of Lyme Regis which has blocked a stretch of beach nearby.

Portland Coastguard received several calls at around 8pm yesterday reporting the landslide, and as it was currently high tide and beginning to get dark when the incident occurred it was difficult to assess the extent of the damage.

However the Coastguard Rescue Team from Lyme Regis, West Dorset Council and the Emergency Planning teams will meet this morning to survey and monitor the situation.

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Andy Jenkins said: "An area of the coastline 400 metres long has now been blocked by the landslip and we are currently awaiting light and low tide to survey and officiate the incident.

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"We would ask all members of the public to respect cordons that are now in place and stay away from the area as the ground is still very unstable and entering the area at this time is extremely dangerous."

Due to a landslip just east of the East Wall at Lyme Regis, everyone is being advised to avoid the beach area up to approximately 400 metres towards Charmouth. There is no access along the beach to Charmouth from Lyme Regis or to Lyme Regis from Charmouth.

The landslip occurred as part of a natural process and is 300 metres wide at the bottom of a slope. No buildings or property are affected.

West Dorset District Council's Planning and Environment Director David Evans said: "I would strongly advise people to keep away from the landslip for their own safety. It is not in a fossil area and is extremely muddy."

(CD/JM)