TOWERING beach-goers beware. Maybe this seaside council sign at Friars Cliff, Christchurch, should also carry a health warning for all tall sightseers.

The sign, standing just over 6ft, was spotted by local resident Dr David Kerr while out walking with his family.

Consultant physician Dr Kerr, who is 6ft 2in tall and visiting professor at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, joked: “Is Christchurch council heightest?

“Are people over 6ft not allowed to go to the beach at Friars Cliff?

“The sign has been there for a while now but we’ve only just noticed how low it is. It looks really funny when you’re standing next to it.

“I can imagine people having to duck to avoid hitting it.”

A Christchurch Borough Council spokesperson stressed that since the sign was on a verge it abided by the borough’s signage regulations.

If placed on a footpath it would have to be around 2.2 metres, just over 7ft, rather than 1.5 metres (5ft 7in).

Council leader Cllr Alan Griffiths denied accusations that the council might be “heightest” but saw the funny side.

He said: “I’m 5ft 10in tall and my height is probably more of an issue than Dr Kerr’s.

“I haven’t seen this sign but I’ll go and have a look. There’s no chance that I’m going to bang my head on it. I haven’t received a single complaint from local residents. If there is an issue we’ll resolve it; just because a sign complies with the law doesn’t necessarily mean that it is acceptable.”