A woman whose son died at the same cliff that claimed the life of kite-flier Barry Ripley is stepping up her campaign for it to be made safer.

Sandie Underdown's son Jamie, ten, fell to his death in 1997 while playing at Splash Point, Seaford.

Mrs Underdown, of Lexden Drive, Seaford, has been campaigning since then to have fences and more danger signs put up at the beauty spot.

The family of Mr Ripley, 38, who died on Thursday while flying a kite with his seven-year-old stepson Reace, has vowed to join the campaign.

Mrs Underdown, whose son would have been 18 this month, said: "When I saw in the paper it had happened again I was horrified. What if that little boy had gone over with him?

"Every time this happens it all comes straight back.

"It is so dangerous up there but Lewes District Council says fencing would spoil an area of natural beauty.

"How many more people have to die before something is done?"

Mrs Underwood said she had talked to Jamie about death. He had said he wanted to die saving someone and for his funeral to be like a wedding.

She said: "I made everyone come to the funeral in bright colours, so I've done that part for him.

"If I can get this fencing put up I will have done the other part because it will certainly save lives. If there had been a fence, Mr Ripley would not have been able to reach the edge without hitting the fence first.

"I want to be able to allow my son to rest in peace so that I can get on with my life but right now that's impossible, especially now this has happened again."

Mrs Underwood said her phone had not stopped ringing since reports of Mr Ripley's death. She said: "Everyone has been saying, 'You've got to do something, it has happened again'.

"I walked for miles and miles along here after Jamie died, trying to make sense of it all.

"His sister Jemma was with him when it happened and she has still not got over it. She was devastated when she heard it had happened again because nothing has changed up there since she saw her brother go over.

"My only consolation is that Jamie died in such a beautiful place."

Although there are warning signs at intervals along the cliff where Jamie fell, an unfenced path leads straight down to a sheer drop.

Farther along, where Mr Ripley fell, there is a 150ft drop with no fence, although there is a warning sign.

At the weekend several people could be seen playing near the spot where Mr Ripley fell, some on bikes, others taking photos feet from the edge.

Mrs Underwood said: "Jamie would have been 18 this month. "We should have been celebrating and he should be passing his driving test like all his friends.

"I still see the lad around who was his best friend then as a strapping young man now and I wonder if Jamie would have been the same. I'm proud to have been his mum and that so many people still remember him and have left messages and flowers at his headstone for his 18th birthday."

Mrs Underwood has collected 5,000 signatures on a petition for more safety precautions at the cliffs.

A Lewes District Council spokeswoman said: "I can confirm the council has reviewed the issue of safety along the coastline in the past. The council ensures adequate signage warns people of the potential danger of walking along the cliff tops.

"We are profoundly saddened by this tragic accident and would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the victim's family."