A Coroner has called for warning signs on a stretch of the North Yorkshire coast after hearing how a man died after falling from a cliff wall.

North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death on builder Steven Broughton, 29, who was attending a Goths' celebration at Whitby Spa Pavilion in April when the tragedy happened.

Jason Martin, of Aigburth, Liverpool, told the hearing at Pickering that he saw Mr Broughton, of South Dean, Liverpool, on the cliffs behind the pavilion.

They had been walking away from the building when he suddenly saw Mr Broughton sliding down the hill in a squatting position.

Mr Martin said he went to help but when he reached Mr Broughton found him standing up and laughing. "I told him 'I thought you were a goner'".

But shortly afterwards Mr Broughton sat on a wall on the cliffs, overbalanced and plunged on to the beach below.

PC Nick Skelton found Mr Broughton lying on rocks. Efforts to save him failed and he was pronounced dead at Whitby hospital.

Mr Oakley said Mr Broughton died from head and chest injuries. He had been drinking, but he was not intoxicated.

"It appears he swung his legs over the wall and overbalanced, and was unaware there was a sheer drop at the other side."

Mr Oakley said he would be asking Scarborough Council to consider erecting warning signs to prevent a future tragedy.