An ‘idiot’ camper climbed a fence and ignored warning signs to set up camp on the edge of a crumbling 150ft seaside cliff. 

The cliffs at West Bay, Dorset, which famously featured in ITV crime drama Broadchurch, are prone to regular rockfalls, with nine being recorded last year alone.

A huge pile of debris lies below the cliffs from previous landslips.

A crack in the 180–million–year–old sandstone cliff suggests it is a matter of time before it gives way. 

The lone man in a T–shirt and shorts had to scale a fence erected by the council to stop walkers from going near the cliff edge and ignored numerous ‘warning’ signs to reach the spot.

He also faced the risk of being hit by a stray golf ball as he positioned himself to the side of the green of the 15th hole at Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club.

The camper was spotted at 8pm on Friday by photographer Graham Hunt, who could not believe what he was seeing.

A camper risked his life by pitching a tent on the edge of a crumbling 150ft cliff at West Bay, Dorset

The camper was spotted by photographer Graham Hunt, who called the decision ‘idiotic’

He said: ‘I don’t know what goes through people’s minds but I suppose they are thinking ‘I’m going to sleep here because I have the best view of the sunset’.

‘The footpath has been closed for two and a half years by the council because they believe it is unsafe.

‘He had to jump over a fence and ignore clear warning signs to get there.

‘It does seem rather idiotic.’

In 2012, tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, was crushed to death by a huge landslip as she walked under the cliffs further along the World Heritage Site at Burton Bradstock.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: ‘The Jurassic Coast looks the way it does because of erosion – meaning it is always on the move.

‘It is a wonderful place to visit, but it’s important to use common sense and caution – stay away from the edge and base of cliffs and always pay attention to warning signs and safety messages.’