THE ARBROATH and Area Partnership officially launched an innovative system to enhance the safety of visitors to the town’s cliffs yesterday.

The system has been developed in conjunction with the emergency services including the police, RNLI and coastguard, and it is intended to make it simpler for people to alert the services and identify their location in the event of an incident.

There was also support from the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The group also thanked the criminal justice service, which erected the new posts along the coastal footpath; D. C. Thomson & Co for providing artwork; and Mackay Boatbuilders of Arbroath, who offered to maintain and replace the posts as necessary.

The system consists of high-visibility numbered posts which will make it easier for anyone to identify their location to the emergency services.

Simple explanatory instructions have been added to the cliff-top safety signs erected by the partnership in 2005.

Arbroath and Area Partnership chairman Harry Simpson said, “The cliffs are one of the most popular visitor areas in Arbroath, and the group encourages this.

“However, we would like to remind everyone that there are dangers, and safety should always be borne in mind when visiting.

“This new system should help remind people of this and offer additional help to anyone experiencing or witnessing anyone in danger while in the area.”