WIDOWER Adam Crozier called for clearer no-swimming warning signs at West Bexington after his wife was swept out to sea and died.

Mr Crozier said the tragedy might not have happened if there had been more visible warnings about strong currents off the beach.

He spoke out yesterday after an inquest into the death of his wife Carol, 39, echoed calls by West Dorset coroner Michael Johnston for increased safety measures for tourists.

Gardener Mr Crozier said: "If there were better signs up it would have made a difference. People would probably not have done what they did.

"My wife was really aware of dangers like that and she was always pretty observant."

The inquest heard Mrs Crozier, from Shepton Mallet, was declared dead on August 11 after being flown to Dorset County Hospital by Portland coastguard helicopter.

She was with her husband and friends on Chesil Beach at 5.30pm when she took off her trousers to paddle in the sea.

Mr Crozier, who was fishing from the beach, told the inquest: "She fell back into the sea. When I got closer I could hear her shouting for help."

Mr Crozier admitted he was a weak swimmer, but he jumped into the water when he saw his wife suddenly disappear up to her neck in the waves.

He said: "I went out to her. She was conscious and talking to me. I was telling her to get the next wave in but the current was pulling her away from me. I went out as far as I could but there was no shelf whatsoever. I started to panic. I was being pulled out and under."

Mr Crozier made his way back to the beach but when he turned round saw his wife was floating face down in the water. Les Tucker, of Westway Road, Weymouth, who was with the couple on the beach, broke down as he recalled the incident.

He said: "Carol took off her trousers and I asked if she was going swimming. She just gave us one of those devil-may-care looks. That's what Carol was like. She always pushed it a little bit more."

Mr Tucker ran to call the coastguard from a mobile phone in his car and to fetch a lifebuoy.

But he later complained to the coastguard that the rope on the lifebuoy was not long enough to reach Carol.

Mr Tucker said warning signs at the car park about the strong currents were not clearly visible.

Mr Johnston pledged to write to the local authority and said: "I don't know if these signs would satisfy most health and safety regulations. We need to put our house in order to make sure it's safe for visitors and tourists."

Mr Johnston recorded a verdict of accidental death.