THE local Coastguard has issued fresh warnings for people to take care along the West Somerset coastline following a large rock fall from the cliff face at St Audries Bay.

The rock fall happened not far from the St Audries Bay waterfall, with HM Watchet Coastguard estimating that approximately five tonnes of rocks had fallen it away, and it was extremely lucky that no-one was injured.

The Coastguard crew were called to the scene by a member of the public, and after arriving at the Home Farm Holiday Centre access point, were shown where the rock fall had happened between the access steps and the waterfall.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard Watchet said: "Witnesses who heard the cliff fall described it as large bang similar to a loud thunder burst as the rocks fell onto the beach.

"Luckily a group of children who had been playing at the base of the cliff only minutes before had moved around the corner by the waterfall and avoided serious injury.

"After liaising with the families on the beach and giving advice we checked that the warning signs were all still in place at the beach access points and spoke to the owners of the holiday camp regarding advising new visitors of the dangers of the loose cliffs.

"We continue to repeat our warnings that visitors to the coast should keep away from cliff edges and the base of cliffs due to continued erosion.

"Our guidance would be to stay out away from the base of the cliff the same distance as the cliff height , and certainly not allow any children to play below these sorts of cliffs underneath any overhangs.

"In this case we were lucky there had not been any fatalities or serious injuries."

In a coastal emergency remember to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.