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Police say a summer holiday beach tragedy is on the cards as daredevil youngsters are making 'tomb-stoning' macho leaps up to 30ft into the sea from the pier at West Bay, narrowly missing boats coming in and out of Bridport Harbour.

With the school summer break about to start, there is the very real threat that youngsters joining in the tomb-stoning antics could be killed or end up in a wheelchair for life.

Dozens of people have been killed or crippled for life after leaping from piers and cliffs along Britain's coasts since the 'sport' became a craze in recent years.

Calm before the storm: West Bay near Bridport, Dorset, has the craze of 'tomb-stoning' sweeping the region

Keep safe: There have been 20 deaths since 2005 according to the Coastguard website

Nic Lonsdale, duty watch manager for Portland Coastguard, which covers the West Bay area, warned today: 'Jumping from piers, cliffs, rocks or other structures into the sea can be very dangerous.

'What was a deep pool at lunchtime might be a shallow puddle by teatime due to tidal conditions and you do not know what other hazards might be under the surface.

'Tomb-stoning can be dangerous for a number of reasons - water depth alters with the tide and it may be shallower than it seems, submerged objects like rocks may not be visible, the shock of cold water may make it difficult to swim and strong currents can rapidly sweep people away.'

PC Scott McGregor of Bridport Police said 'We have had several reports about people jumping off the pier at West Bay and colleagues attended to prevent individuals from putting themselves and boat users in the harbour at risk.'

Coun Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, said 'Bridport has a very active harbour with boats moving in and out on a regular basis, and we strongly advise people against this activity as it is both irresponsible and potentially dangerous.'

Listen up: Police have warned that the holiday season could be ruined by tomb-stoning tragedy

Figures from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency show that in the past five years, seven people have been badly hurt from tomb-stoning in Dorset.

West Bay traders are praying there won't be a tragedy - they hope to cash in on the Broadchurch new series being filmed on their doorstep.

Restaurants, pubs and guest houses have already been counting the profits as the celebrities with their film crews, make-up artists and back-up staff roll into town.

A main car park on the beach at West Bay will be closed until 8am on Saturday morning as a base for the crew.

Convoys of trucks, mobile homes and catering units have been set up as shooting begins on part two of the ITV nail-biter.

Broadchurch producer Richard Stokes said 'We're delighted to be back in West Bay for filming - we have always been made to feel very welcome. The variety of locations the area gives us adds rich depth and texture to our fictional town.'

Becky Black, manager of the Watch House Cafe, said that Broadchurch had been good for tourism and good for business and they were hoping the new series would do the same.

'Last time we were really busy on the Tuesday after the telly showing on the Monday night.

'We were always packed. It definitely does have an effect.

'It's really nice to show off where you live. You forget how pretty it is here and take it for granted a lot of the time.'

The cafe had even had visitors coming down from Clifton in Bristol, the other location used for Broadchurch, to come and see the area.

Cafe worker Steph Chamney said 'I think it has brought business up..'

Martin Chafer who works at Helmet City, said they had seen lots of people coming down and taking pictures of their second store, which was the location for Broadchurch police station in the first series.

'It's definitely brought people down here. They are looking round to try and see the different spots where it was filmed.'

John Marsh. who's worked on boats at West Bay for 30 years, said he was pleased to see the crew back in town.

'It's good for trade, it's got to be. There's no negative attached to it at all.

'I think West Bay has always been a bit of a back water, the poor cousin of Lyme Regis, and all of a sudden we are in the spotlight.'

Producers of the critically-acclaimed show are remaining tight-lipped about the plot for the second series.

Crowds gathered as word spread that Olivia Colman was preparing to shoot some scenes.

Holidaymakers Rob and Maureen Lucas were walking along the seafront when they saw the commotion.

Rob said the couple were big fans of the first series.

He added 'The first series was brilliant.

'It's the uncertainty of not knowing who did it.

'It really hooked us both.

'We saw Pauline Quirke in West Bay and now we are seeing the filming, which we didn't expect at all.

'We were just walking along and saw the cameras so stopped to have a look.

'One of the reasons we enjoyed the first series was because we saw the area and now we are seeing filming for the second series with Olivia Colman....it's brilliant.'