Shocking pictures show a family risking their lives playing on a huge pile of rocks right under the fragile cliffs they fell from days earlier.

The man and woman ignored warning signs urging people to stay away from the perilous cliffs at West Bay and let their four children climb up the 40ft mountain of rock.

At one point the mother stood on the beach and took a photograph of the youngsters and her partner walking across the rock fall.

There have been fresh calls for members of the public not to get too close to the sandstone cliffs, following the huge fall last Tuesday.

As reported in the Echo, some 1,000 tonnes of rocks and debris came down in the fall.

Luckily nobody was walking under the 150ft tall cliffs at the time.

Coastguards and experts from the Environment Agency fear there could be more cliff falls to come.

Visitor Steve Bennett, 52, from Sherborne took the alarming photos of the family risking their lives on Sunday.

He said: "The beach was busy at the time although most people were stood well back from the cliffs. I think the general reaction from most people was 'what the hell are they doing?'

"I couldn't believe it when the woman started taking pictures with her kids up there."

Other people took to social media to slam the couple's 'stupidity'.

The 180-million-year-old cliffs are prone to sudden rockfalls, particularly after periods of prolonged dry weather.

In 2012 tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, died when a huge landslip occurred as she walked under the cliffs slightly further along the Jurassic Coast at Burton Bradstock.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "The Jurassic Coast is a popular destination for walkers and fossil hunters.

"Heavy rainfall contributes to cliff sumping because of the extra weight and lubrication.

"So it might be tempting to look for fossils or inspect the rock fall, but the risk of further collapse can last for a few days."

Chief Inspector Lance Cliff, of Dorset Police, reiterated their warning to stay clear of the cliffs.

He said: "We would like to remind people that the cliffs remain unstable and it is possible further rock falls could occur. We urge the public to obey warning signs, not to stand near the edge of cliff faces or stand directly underneath them.

"Landslides and rock falls can happen at any time and without warning."

'Stay well away from the cliff fall' 

West Bay Coastguard said in a statement: "It is of course a worry when pictures like this emerge of people putting themselves and their families at risk, despite all of warnings and public information available.

"Please, for your own safety and the safety of your loved ones, stay well away from the cliff fall and the base of the cliffs, which may still be unstable due to the recent bad weather.

"Cliff falls can happen at any time and without warning and the truth is that we just don’t know if the next fall will take place in the next 5 mins, or 5 years.

"Our coastline is a stunning but ever changing natural environment. Coastal erosion including cliff falls, landslides and mudslides are all a part of this environment and we want you all to stay safe, and only take home happy memories.

"Stay well away from the base of the cliffs, the cliff edge, and never climb the cliffs or on recent rockfalls as the debris could be unstable as could the surrounding cliffs.

"Read the local warning signs, use good judgement and have a fantastic visit to the coast."

Cliffs 'susceptible to falls'

An assessment carried out last week by the Jurassic Coast Trust’s geological expert reveals the section of cliff is currently in a condition where it is more susceptible to falls, especially following heavy rain and strong winds.

The public are warned not to walk anywhere near the rockfall or the cliffs. The next rockfall could happen at any time and the stormy winter weather has further increased the likelihood.

Speaking last week, Sam Scriven, programme manager for Heritage & Conservation with the Jurassic Coast Trust, who carried out the assessment, said: “As with previous falls, there appears to be a relationship between more severe weather and this particular cliff failure; in this case heavy rain and a strong wind. I don’t think there can be any doubt that this section of cliff in general is currently in a condition where it is more susceptible to falls.

"My view is that we are experiencing an active period during a long cyclic pattern of erosion and there are many other parts of the cliff face that appear to be similarly vulnerable.

“West Bay is a stunning part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and a popular place to visit. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the area without putting yourself in danger."