Chalk falls from White Cliffs near Dover Eastern Docks. Picture: Paul Tutthill

by Graham Tutthill

Walkers are being warned to stay away from the edge of the White Cliffs of Dover after heavy rain left parts of them crumbling.

Thousands of tonnes of chalk have fallen near the docks and - with water pouring out of the cliffs - there are fears more could follow.

People are being advised to stay away from the edge while walking at the top of the cliffs in case they give way and at the bottom where pieces of chalk could fall.

The latest area where the cliff has collapsed is close to the St Margaret's side of Dover's Eastern Docks where tonnes of chalk has fallen onto the shore and into the sea.

It follows a much larger cliff fall further along the coast.

Meanwhile, water is gushing out of the cliffs above the beach next to Samphire Hoe, on the Folkestone side of Dover.

Paul Holt, from the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, said the fresh water spring called Lydden Spout always flows.

"In hot summers it reduces to a trickle, but in wet winters it gushes out from the chalk," he said.

"In recent weeks it has cut a dramatic gully across the beach. It is a strange sight to see water gushing out from the cliffs, but all the wet weather has meant the spout is more dramatic than normal."