Coastguards have warned people not to climb cliffs at the Norfolk coast after being called out to reports of someone risking their life to retrieve a coat.

A member of the public dialled 999 for the Coastguard this week after a person was spotted climbing the steep cliffs at Sheringham in an attempt to get to a coat halfway up. 

Volunteers at Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Team responded to the call and have urged people not to climb the "highly unstable" cliffs.  

North Norfolk News: The coat that a person risked their life trying to retrieve by climbing the steep cliff at Sheringham The coat that a person risked their life trying to retrieve by climbing the steep cliff at Sheringham (Image: Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Team)

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"We were tasked to this object on the cliffs between Sheringham and the end of the sea wall," Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Team said in a statement earlier this week.

"A member of the public dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard because she was concerned initially about the object, and then by a person attempting to climb the cliff to get to the object.

"The cliffs in this area are highly unstable and we will be removing the object in the next couple of days using rope rescue equipment.

"In the meantime we ask that members of public be aware that we have already carried out an investigation and that they do not attempt to retrieve the object."