A THRILL-SEEKER enjoying the wild weather on the Dorset coast was observed to walk into the sea to get closer to the waves.

The man rolled up his trousers and was up to knee height in the water off Chesil Beach at Burton Bradstock, stretching out his arms as huge waves pounded the shore.

Chesil is a deeply shelving beach with a strong undertow and visitors are regularly warned of the dangers of going in the sea in this area.

An onlooker who saw the man at Hive Beach said: “I couldn’t believe it. He could have been dragged out to sea.

"The waves were really fierce but this guy didn't seem to care.

"I don't think he realised just how dangerous it can be down here."

It came after agencies warned of getting too close to the wild weather.

As Storm Barney swept in earlier this week, the Environment Agency and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned that people posing for ‘storm selfies’ are putting their lives in danger. 

The two organisations urged thrill-seekers not to put themselves at risk by taking photographs of themselves along wave-battered promenades and breakwaters.

David Walker, leisure safety manager at RoSPA, said: “We understand the temptation to view powerful tides and weather conditions, however, if you get caught up or swept out to sea in these events your life will be at risk very quickly and our rescue services will also be at great risk."