PART of West Bay seafront remains cordoned off after warnings that a major rock fall could happen at any time.

West Dorset District Council engineers put up barriers and warning signs on the western end of the promenade last week as ominous cracks appeared in the cliffs.

Principal engineer Peter Sunderland said that the area of most concern was a rock promontory towards the end of the beachside walkway.

"There are some cracks in that and we had a fairly large landslip to the west of it before Christmas," he added.

"There have also been some local landslips around the rock promontory so we have closed the last section of the western promenade as a precaution. If the whole lot goes it is likely to fall right on top of the promenade."

Mr Sunderland said the area would remain fenced off to the public until engineers were able fully to assess the situation during the coming weeks.

Coastguards this week added a warning of the dangers from the crumbling cliffs between West Bay and Eype.