‘DON’T play chicken with waves during Storm Dennis.’

That’s the warning to Dorset residents visiting the coast this weekend with people also told “no photograph or selfie is worth risking your life for.”

It comes after pictures showed thrill-seekers “dodging waves and taking selfies” during Storm Ciara last weekend, including one man seen trying to walk across to Pulpit Rock at Portland Bill.

Storm Dennis is set to bring gusts of up to 70mph and heavy rain today (February 15) and tomorrow (February 16) with yellow weather warnings in force.

A warning for strong winds will be in place for Dorset between 10am today and midnight on Sunday with an alert over heavy rain in place from 12pm today until 9pm tomorrow.

Rob Sansom, senior coastal operations officer at HM Coastguard, said: “Images of people dodging waves and taking selfies during extreme weather are alarming and they are incredibly lucky that they weren’t swept out to sea or injured.

“With the arrival of Storm Dennis, especially so quickly after the last storm, the seas have been unforgiving and we cannot stress enough that piers, rocks, harbours and the water’s edge are not safe places to be when the weather is bad.

“Playing chicken with waves is extremely dangerous. It can be slippery and because there is little to hold onto, even a small wave can come out of nowhere and quickly wash you off and into the sea. Equally so, no photograph or selfie is worth risking your life for.

“We would urge people to think carefully about the risks they take and be extremely careful when near any body of water during bad weather.

“If you see anyone in trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Dorset Council is also asking people to stay away from cliffs as the risk of rock falls and land slips is increased and to ensure garden furniture is secure.

The council said its highways teams will be on standby to respond to any road closures.