Idiotic tourists pose on crumbling 400ft cliff edge to take SELFIES hours before Seven Sisters coastal path is closed due to rapid erosion
A mixture of violent storms and high seas has seen several metres of the chalk face cliffs disappear beneath the waves
GROUPS of tourists are risking their lives by posing for selfies and taking pictures of the edge of a crumbling 500ft cliff.
Young tourists were seen dangling their legs over the edge of the famous Seven sisters cliffs near Brighton in East Sussex.
One photo shows a young woman leaning over the edge to take a photo of the sheer drop.
Others show people doing silly poses by the cliff edge.
Another shows a young man posing for a photo while sitting perilously close to the edge.
Cliff collapses in the area have been regularly reported this year, and a set of stairs on the cliffs have had to be shut because of the erosion.
A mixture of violent storms and high seas has seen several metres of the chalk face cliffs disappear beneath the waves.
During the winter storms of 2013/14, seven years of erosion was said to have taken place in just three months.
The cliffs at Birling Gap in Seven sisters have experienced possibly the worst coastal erosion in the UK.
In 2005 it was noted they had retreated 90 metres from where they had stood in 1873.
Over the years several cottages have disappeared as the cliffs have gradually been eroded.
Cllr Dowling said: “It is another stark reminder of the relentless erosion taking place and why it is so important not to go near the cliff edge. We never know when or where the next fall will take place.”
It is hoped that once in their new position, the steps should not have to be replaced for up to ten more years.
Adrian Harrison, National Trust Lead Ranger said: “Here at Birling Gap we are face to face with the realities of coastal change.
"We are glad to have the support of Wealden District Council with this essential work on the steps, which will help to enable long term access to the beach.”
The National Trust looks after 775 miles of coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
More than 350,000 people visit the cliffs at Birling Gap and Seven Sisters cliffs each year.
Last year the Dover coastguard was forced to issue a statement slamming the brazen selfie takers.
A spokesman for the coastguard said: "There is nothing we can do to stop them doing it, but we do advise and request people not to do it.
"It's a problem and you can only tell people not to do it. It's a beauty spot and people do take pictures there, but there are signs up warning people not to go near the edge.
"Education is the best thing we can do."
And a spokeswoman for Solent Coastguard said: "We really can't stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge. There is no safe place to be.
"Don't be tempted to go and investigate and don't risk going to the edge to get a dramatic picture – no selfie or photograph is worth risking your life for."
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