Idiotic daytrippers have been spotted standing inches from death as they peer over the crumbling cliffs at a popular East Sussex viewpoint. Tourists were seen today standing dangerously close to the cliff edge in the coastal hamlet of Birling Gap, one of Britain's most popular beauty spots. It comes as the National Trust, which manages the attraction, bans coaches from visiting it in a bid to reduce the 'tsunami of tourists' and limit damage to the natural environment. Up to 600,000 visitors a year flock to this stretch of the legendary Seven Sisters chalk cliffs - with non-stop sightseeing tours wrecking the grassland, paths and verges. The ban is said to be the first of its kind that the Trust has imposed on one of its attractions - and follows a council warning against straying too close to the cliff edge. It has raised fears that the Trust's move could be a precursor to similar action in other hotspots, including the Cotswolds and the Lake District. Residents living close to Birling Gap praised the ban last night and said it would help preserve the East Sussex beauty spot for future generations. Philip Myerson said: 'The coach ban hasn't come a moment too soon. Birling Gap and Seven Sisters is being ruined by a huge increase in visitors in recent years. 'It's a tsunami and it's having a really big impact on the small road, the verges, the grassland and the paths. Everything is being worn away.' Shocking images from today show sightseers, desperate for the perfect photo or to catch a few rays as Britain warms up, venturing dangerously close to the crumbly chalk cliff edge. Astonishingly, this included several children. East Sussex County Council has previously issued a warning about straying too close to the cliff edge, as even more tourists flock to area amid warmer weather. A council spokesperson told SussexWorld: 'The iconic white cliffs are very popular with visitors but they are extremely unstable and can give way at any time with no warning.' Conservative councillor Claire Dowling said: 'The cliffs contain many overhangs and cracks that visitors may not be able to see, as illustrated recently by a large crack in the chalk cliff near Belle Tout lighthouse.' The long vertical crack appeared at the end of last month, on a stretch of the cliffs at Beachy Head, near Eastbourne. She continued: 'The cliffs, while beautiful, are extremely unstable and huge quantities of chalk can fall at any time with absolutely no warning. 'We want people to enjoy visiting the stunning East Sussex coast but to do so safely and urge them to stay back from the cliff edges and bases.' While the National Trust has banned coach trips to the beauty spot, unable to cope with increased numbers of them in recent years, visitors arriving by other means are still welcome. The ban is specific to Birling Gap - not other Trust sites. Dot Skeaping, 80, a former National Trust worker who lives in one of four cottages closest to the cliff edge, said: 'The National Trust wants to welcome people to Birling Gap but it wants them to see it at its best. 'Banning all coaches is a good idea as they are often huge, arrive in large numbers and are an eyesore. 'This ban will also prevent an excess of visitors in what is a relatively small attractive entrance area to the site.' Four of the eight original cottages, built in 1877, have been reclaimed by the sea one by one. Ms Skeaping said: 'It is a huge privilege to live in this cottage but the impact of the large number of visitors is not helping the coastal erosion.' In the last ten years, there has been massive coastal erosion at the Seven Sisters cliffs with several metres of the clifftop chalk disappearing into the sea. Jonathan Ledham, a walker, said: 'The very beauty that attracts us to this location is its downfall because so many people want to see it and experience it and who can blame them. 'Birling Gap and Seven Sisters has featured in feature films and international pop videos. 'This attracts a whole new army of admirers from across the world but these chalk cliffs are fragile and coastal erosion is a huge issue here. 'The cliffs are among the most dangerous stretches of clifftop in Britain yet schoolchildren and other visitors often take their lives in their hands to pose for photos and selfies.' Birling Gap has appeared in feature films including Atonement with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves with Kevin Costner and Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire. It also featured as a location for an Asian reality TV show hosted by South Korean actress, Seo Hyo-rim, and also appeared in a music video by Taiwanese singer Jay Chou. 'We have seen a big uptick on people coming of South East Asia,' said Lloyd Monk, 65, who lives locally. 'They just want to take a selfie, eat an ice-cream and then move on to the next photogenic location.' In 2017, South Korean student Hyewon Kim, 23, plunged 200ft to her death after jumping in the air for a photograph on a crumbling clifftop. Mr Ledham said: 'Young tourists will do almost anything for the perfect Instagram shot with the result many put themselves in horrendous danger. 'The tragedy should have been a wake-up call but hasn't deterred anyone.' A National Trust spokesman said: 'At Birling Gap, we welcome over 600,000 visitors every year to this small rural clifftop location that is vulnerable to coastal erosion. 'We've seen a significant increase in coach visits in recent years, which the site is unable to cope with. 'We continue to welcome visitors by car, motorbike, minibus and bus service.' She added the move was not a Trust-wide policy and was made in response to a specific problem in Birling Gap and Seven Sisters. An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said: 'As the weather improves and visitor numbers to the area increase, the county council is reminding people of the risks the spectacular but unstable cliffs can pose, as well as the dangers to beach walkers who risk getting cut off by the tide.' They added: 'Each year thousands of tonnes of chalk fall from the cliffs and despite the dangers, visitors regularly stand too close to the edge of the cliffs, or walk or sit at the cliff base when on the beach.' The warning comes as part of a joint campaign by the council, HM Coastguard, the National Trust, South Downs National Park Authority, Sussex Wildlife Trust and several district councils in the area. If people in the area see anyone in danger or someone who has fallen, they should call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard - but not attempt a rescue themselves.