TERRIFYING pictures have been captured of young children sitting perilously close to a Dorset cliff edge.

The first of the worrying images shows the two children posing for a photograph on the edge of a West Bay cliff, with one even dangling their legs over the edge, as two adults stand a fair distance away to take the picture.

In the second, the picture appears to have already been taken and the young girl remains with her legs over the edge of the cliff.

The incident has prompted a warning from the area's coastguard that no photograph is worth risking your life or the life of loved ones.

A spokesman for the West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team said: "The Jurassic Coast is a beautiful place to come and visit and we understand the desire to want to capture that picture perfect moment.

"We have seen many instances over the years of individuals and families putting themselves at needless risk trying to take that perfect photo, but these images represent one of the most severe examples.

"You have to ask the question: ‘What photograph is worth risking your life, or the lives of your loved ones?'

"Our advice remains very simple: stay well away from the edge of the cliff, keep your loved ones close and your dogs on a lead.

"Make sensible decisions and take home only happy memories.

"If you find yourself in difficulty or if you see something that gives you cause for concern then do not hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

There has been several incidents of this in the past as residents and visitors alike have tried to capture the perfect picture of themselves or friends and family on the cliffs.

Camera Club member Mazz Blehs, who captured the picture, said: "I was very shocked today.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this couple putting their children's lives at risk for the sake of a photo."

Cliff falls have also been occurring throughout the year in the West Bay area, adding to the danger of standing on the cliff edge.

A large section of the cliff dramatically collapsed in November with tens of thousands of tonnes of rock and debris thundering down on to the beach below.

Experts warned of further landslips at the time, claiming 'this is by no means the end of the story'.