SPECIAL signs have been erected at West Street Beach in Watchet to create eye-catching warnings about lethal conditions there.

A pet dog tragically drowned in June at the point where Washford River flows onto the beach, while more recently a man and woman became trapped next to the rock armour on account of the strength of the undercurrent and water depth.

Coastguards and officials from West Somerset Council (WSC) have established that the water is at least four metres deep with eddies and stopper currents strong enough to pull anyone under into the voids under the rock armour.

The four new signs, which measure 4ft x 4ft, feature standardised symbols about the hazards including the fast tides and strong currents, and advise members of the public not to jump, swim or dive.

They are located at the slipway entrance on West Street Beach, on the sea defence wall, to the right of where the river comes out and one is in the Mineral Yard car park.

Jayne Hall, building control manager at WSC, said: “Where we have had very heavy rain since April, the force of the river has scoured away the beach and created very dangerous conditions.

“Even if you are local these things can go very wrong and there can’t be someone there to warn people 24/7, so we decided to make the signs large so they would catch people’s eye.

“We hope the signs will raise public awareness and encourage people to take care, without putting them off using the beach.

“In the longer-term we are looking into remedial work to remove the hazard.”