TWO sections of the South West Coast Path in South East Cornwall have suffered damage due to the exceptionally wet weather.

Cracks up to almost three feet wide have led to the closure of a stretch of path near Tregonhawke in Whitsand Bay. And along the route from Hannafore at West Looe to Talland Bay, there has been a landslide.

Both sections of the path will remain closed for up to six months, but at Whitsand Bay it is feared the closure could become permanent if any more damage occurs.

Cornwall Council has put up diversion maps for walkers who use the popular routes.

Ian Berry, manager of the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park Estate which owns the land at Whitsand Bay, is appealing for walkers to take heed of the diversion signs.

'We don't want people forcing their way in to walk along the route as normal,' he said. 'It is very dangerous at the moment.'

Mr Berry said the cracks were first discovered by the coastal footpath team from Cormac about a week ago.

'No engineers are involved, it is just a case of continued observance on the area. We need the weather to improve to see if the ground will stabilise,' he said.

The cracks have appeared halfway down the cliff at Tregonhawke in an area known as Happy Valley, at the bottom of which are six occupied chalets. Residents are able to have access to their homes.

Meanwhile, Cornwall Council, in a statement, said the landslip between Talland Bay and Hendersick, which brought down a quantity of soil and debris on to the footpath, occurred as a result of the saturated soils after the ongoing heavy rainfall.

Council official David Attwell said: 'There is a strong likelihood of a further slope failure of a similar scale.

'We will be undertaking regular assessments of the path and will carry out a geotechnical review next year when ground conditions have stabilised, following the exceptionally wet weather.'

The footpath diversion, which has been agreed with the assistance of the National Trust, is fully signposted. Walkers are advised to leave an extra 15 to 25 minutes to complete the route.

Cornwall councillor Edwina Hannaford said: 'The South West Coast Path is a strong economic driver for Looe and Polperro, giving much pleasure to both visitors and residents alike, and any closure is therefore a worry.

'However, the council must ensure the safety of walkers is maintained until a long-term solution can be found.'