People are being urged to stay away from part of a beach after a cliff collapse left caravans dangerously close to the edge.

Several people were evacuated and a slope was cordoned off after the erosion damage in Pakefield, which also revealed what was initially thought to be an unexploded bomb.

High tides and strong winds caused a section of road to collapse near Pakefield Holiday Park in Lowestoft on Friday night.

Lowestoft Journal: The taped off ‘dangerous’ slope in Pakefield, Lowestoft.The taped off ‘dangerous’ slope in Pakefield, Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

HM Coastguard Lowestoft and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to the holiday park at about 9.40pm after a section of the road in front of the clifftop caravans collapsed onto the beach below. 

It led to caravans being moved with several people evacuated and the steps down to the beach at Arbor Lane being cordoned off.

Lowestoft Journal: HM Coastguard Lowestoft maintaining an exclusion zone around the suspected ordinance.HM Coastguard Lowestoft maintaining an exclusion zone around the suspected ordinance. (Image: Mick Howes)

As the damage was assessed, the suspected unexploded bomb was uncovered on Saturday but was later found to be an object used in minesweeping.

A spokesman for East Suffolk Council warned: "Please stay away from the cliffs for your safety.

Lowestoft Journal: The taped off ‘dangerous’ slope in Pakefield, Lowestoft.The taped off ‘dangerous’ slope in Pakefield, Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

"The relevant authorities are addressing the impacts, and affected areas have been cordoned off as the extent of any damage is assessed.

"Known damage which affects ordinary access includes the steps down to the beach at Arbor Lane.

Lowestoft Journal: The erosion near fishing boats in Pakefield, Lowestoft.The erosion near fishing boats in Pakefield, Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

"Therefore, people are asked to avoid the area and stay away from locations which may still be vulnerable.

"There may be debris and the possibility of further collapse and public safety is a priority."

Lowestoft Journal: The cleared and demolished chalet sites in Arbor Lane, Pakefield.The cleared and demolished chalet sites in Arbor Lane, Pakefield. (Image: Mick Howes)

A spokesman for HM Coastguard Lowestoft added: "The beach at the bottom of the steps at Arbor Lane has now mostly washed away.

READ MORE: Hundreds of homes without power after coastal erosion

"The beach there is now a dangerous place to be."

Further drama was brought by the discovery of the Second World War device found on Saturday afternoon at the base of the cliffs a few hundred metres away.

Lowestoft Journal: A controlled explosion was carried out on a suspected 'bomb' - actually a Second World War minesweeping float - found at the base of a cliff in Pakefield after erosion.A controlled explosion was carried out on a suspected 'bomb' - actually a Second World War minesweeping float - found at the base of a cliff in Pakefield after erosion. (Image: Courtesy of Bob Collis)

Police, rescue officers from HM Coastguard Lowestoft, the council and a bomb disposal team all responded as a 100m exclusion zone was set up ahead of a controlled explosion being carried out by ordinance disposal specialists.

Lowestoft Journal: An example of a Second World War minesweeping float - found at the base of a cliff in Pakefield.An example of a Second World War minesweeping float - found at the base of a cliff in Pakefield. (Image: Courtesy of Bob Collis)

Aviation historian Bob Collis said the reported 'bomb' on Pakefield beach was "actually a Second World War minesweeping float" which would have been used for buoying minesweeping gear.

The cliff fall came on the same night that a high tide and strong winds caused around 30 metres of road to crumble onto the beach further up the coast at Hemsby.