Residents warned to steer clear of cliffs

Authorities and emergency services have warned residents to keep away from the cliffs at Marsden Bay, after a collapse of the rock face.

Beach walkers captured the dramatic moment part of the cliff edge at the bay gave way and crashed onto the shore yesterday.

Regional and borough emergency groups were notified of the incident and called to the scene to investigate and monitor the impact of the collapse.

The South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade urged walkers to stay at least 10metres away from the cliff base.

The borough organisation said its team was called out to the Marsden area within the hour after the cliff collapse was reported to them.

"The team were tasked to Marsden to a report of a cliff fall, team members assessed the fall and obtained video and photographs, this enabled us to rule out any possible persons involved or injured,” the Volunteer Life Brigade team said subsequently.

"These were passed on to Humber who in turn were to contact the local authorities.”

South Tyneside Council also issued a warning via its social media channels, advising residents in the area to be cautious.

The North East Coastguard, meanwhile, said: “Cliffs can be more unstable than they look, and cliff falls/landslides can happen without warning.

"Take note of any warning signs, don’t climb over fences to get to/or approach the cliff edge and never climb the cliff as a short cut to the top. Tragedy could easily occur if any of the above advice is ignored."