A helicopter view of the landslip. Photo: Devon and Cornwall Police

Police have warned walkers to steer clear of a section of Britain’s longest national trail after part of it collapsed into the sea.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a significant landslip on the South West Coast Path near Thurlestone had led to the path being closed for safety reasons.

The cliff-top Butter Cove near Long Stone Rock collapsed on Sunday close to the path.

Police were alerted shortly before 5.25pm to the landslip, between Bantham Sands and Thurlestone Golf Club. A spokesperson said: “Local officers, the police helicopter and the Coastguard attended the area.

“The police helicopter assisted officers on the ground by guiding them to the scene and ensuring that no-one was on the coastal path at the time of the collapse.”

Inspector Adrian Leisk of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “This is a very popular route for walkers and thankfully no-one was injured as a result of the incident.

“We made the area safe by putting cordons in place. The stretch of coastal path is now closed until longer-term safety measures have been put in place by Highways.

“We are urging people to avoid the area for the time being for their own safety.”

A diversion is available by heading inland to the East of Thurlestone Golf Club.

The 1,014km (630-mile) South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest national trail, leading from Poole in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset.