Warning after photos show young girl being pulled from Birling Gap cliff edge in Sussex

The incident happened at Birling Gap in East Sussex on Sunday and it has prompted local authorities to warn visitors about the dangers.

South Downs National Park shared photos of the heart-in-mouth moment when the child had to be dragged away from the edge on social media.

Other pictures also show groups of people walking dangerously close to the cliff edge and even posing for photos.

In a post on Facebook yesterday, the national park’s official page said: ‘The cliffs are incredibly dangerous for those walking above and below.

‘It may well be a beautiful location but it deserves respect.

‘Please stay well away from the edge and please keep a close eye on little ones.’

South Downs National Park has since followed up the post with more advice for visitors coming to Birling Gap and other beauty spots.

‘However tempting it is, the cliff edge is a dangerous place to be,’ it added in a post on Facebook this morning.

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‘If you do happen to find yourself on the Sussex coast this week, keep away from the cliffs.

‘They are very, very old and very, very brittle.⠀

‘Stick to the footpath, keep your distance and keep staying safe.’

Wealden District Council has also issued its own stern warning saying: ‘We know we're always saying it, but for good reason after yesterday’s (Sunday) near miss at Birling Gap. Please stay away from the cliff edge, it is not a playground.

‘As tempting as it may be to peer over the edge, or to get that selfie - is it really worth risking your life for?’

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