THE beach at Barton-on-Sea has been closed due to an 'ongoing cliff collapse'.

New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) coastal team say they are currently monitoring several areas of "significant cliff movement" south of Barton-on-Sea golf course. It is an actively eroding area, which last saw a major cliff fall in May 2017.

A NFDC spokesperson said: "Since [then], timber guide posts have been installed along the cliff top to guide path users landwards away from sections of actively eroding cliff edge. This has enabled the clifftop footpath to remain open.

"There now appears to be several areas of ongoing movement with further cliff falls highly likely, and this has led to the temporary closure of the beach below as a precaution. It is strongly advised that the public should not access the beach and follow instructions on the warning signs.

"Recent stormy weather and high rainfall is the likely cause of the instability and with continuation of these conditions it is likely that there will be more cliff falls in the area.

"The coastal team will continue monitoring the area and the beach will remain closed until the stability of the cliff improves."