THESE frightening pictures were captured by photographer Graham Hunt at Portland Bill yesterday.

As Storm Ciara brought huge waves and high winds to Dorset – with gusts of 80 miles per hour initially predicted – one man tried to walk across to Pulpit Rock.

Coastguard officials had warned people to stay away from the coastline.

A resident who watched the incident said: “I was thinking - what is he doing? All it takes is for one wave to go over the rock and he is a goner.

“It’s not the first time something like that has happened.”

Passer-by Kristian Corlett also saw the man and says his ‘heart was in his mouth’ when the large wave engulfed the rock while the man was stood on it.

“We couldn't believe our eyes when we saw him walk along," said Mr Corlett.

“My heart was in my mouth.

"It was windy and the wind was pushing us around."

“The photos show how dangerous it was. I hope he's ok.”

Dorset Council had urged members of the public not to 'wave watch' or take storm selfies.

Elsewhere, a young couple had a lucky escape when a large tree crashed onto their car.

A person who witnessed the aftermath said: "A huge tree fell on a car as it was driving down Huntick Road in Lytchett Matravers.

"The young couple who were driving back to London after preparing for their wedding at a local church were lucky to be alive as it hit the bonnet of their car."

More than 700 homes were left without power in West Dorset.

Firefighters were also called to Dorset County Hospital after the storm caused damage to a roof.

Traffic was affected across the county.

The A354 eastbound was blocked at Milborne St Andrew after a tree fell near the Royal Oak pub.

In Sturminster Newton, a road was blocked due to another fallen tree.

The incident took place on Bath Road, which was blocked between New Street and B3091 Old Market Hill as a result.