A coastal road in West Somerset near an unstable cliff has been closed for safety reasons.

The B3191 Cleeve Hill, near Watchet, has been closed to all road users with immediate effect in the interests of public safety.

Somerset County Council’s Highways Team has taken the decision following a geotechnical survey, combined with expert advice, that suggests significant movement within the coastal slope adjacent to the road.

A spokesperson said: "Improvements were made to the road to improve safety measures last August. The geotechnical challenges affecting the cliff face are complex and require a high degree of monitoring.

"Our team were able to act quickly, and the road will be closed until further notice while detailed inspections are carried out. We have instructed our contractors to implement the closure using the new road closure gates."

In August last year, new measures were announced on the road to alert motorists in the event of possible cliff falls or other coastal erosion. The signs and gates come ahead of a £3.8m scheme to prevent the Blue Anchor end of the road and nearby properties including the Anchor's Drop pub falling into the sea.

Cliff monitoring systems at the area detects movement of the cliff and send messages to the county council's highways teams to carry out a closure and to activate signage. But it has been reported that the signs are often moved to enable vehicles to pass through.

The new gates close and lock if the existing alarm system is triggered, diverting motorists to the A39. Inland diversions will also be in place for users of the England Coast Path, which runs from Brean to Minehead via Watchet and Blue Anchor.