The Jurassic Coast was designated a World Heritage Site back in 2001, due to the continuous exposure of geological strata - evidencing 185 million years of Earth History along a 95 mile stretch of coastline. 

The key word here is 'exposure'. The fact that the cliffs naturally erode to expose this amazing geological story is the very reason why this part of the Dorset and East Devon Coast was designated a World Heritage Site.  In fact, if the cliffs weren't eroding, we wouldn't have a World Heritage Site on our doorstep.

The recent, dramatic landslip between Lyme Regis and Charmouth is testimony to the very nature of the Site - it is a natural process which plays an integral part in the ever-changing and evolving  coastal environment.

No one was hurt during this landslip but the public should always remember to 'Keep Clear of the Cliffs' when walking on the beach - and common sense tells us to stay away from the edge, when walking along the top of any cliff...and of course it would be extremely dangerous to walk anywhere near the present landslide area.

The last similar landslip was back in 1986 - but Tuesday's occurrence is a stark reminder of just how much respect we should all have when enjoying a visit to this part of the coast.

The Jurassic Coast is not 'destroyed' at all when landslips occur - the World Heritage Site boundaries always run from the top of the cliff down to the low water mark, and so this boundary remains as the cliffs retreat - that is after all what cliffs do naturally - retreat.

Julia Pulman , Jurassic Coast Marketing Officer.