An online petition has been launched to fence off a dangerous cliff top.

Ryan Aiken has organised the fight in memory of his friend Barry Ripley, who fell 150ft to his death as he flew a kite on Seaford Head.

Mr Ripley's mother, Linda, is backing the campaign and has called on as many people as possible to sign the petition.

Mr Aiken, 27, a DJ, said he had launched the petition to try and save future lives, as well as a tribute Mr Ripley.

He said: "I had known Barry as a friend since I was about 14 years old. He was the one who taught me the basics when it came to DJ-ing and got me gigs at various venues.

"He also encouraged me in my career and now I have got my own recording studio and produce my own music.

"I would never have done so well if it hadn't been for him."

Mr Aiken was on holiday when he heard about Mr Ripley's accident and was horrified.

He said: "It was awful. He was such a good man. He did not deserve that. He was a really well known and popular person in Newhaven and a lot of people were upset."

Mr Aiken decided to start the petition when he heard that Lewes District Council felt it had proper signage on the cliff warning people about going to close to the cliff edge.

He said: "It is a dangerous place and there needs to be a fence put up. How many more people will die before something is done about it? It is such a simple thing.

"People say a fence would spoil the appearance of the area but what is more important - a view or someone's life?"

Mr Aiken, of South Road, Newhaven, said he would keep the petition going for as long as was needed and he would eventually present it to the council.

Mrs Ripley, 58, of Gibbon Road, Newhaven, said: "That area is so dangerous. I was horrified when I went up to where Barry was killed and saw what it was like.

"Another person is going to die unless a fence is put up. I'm asking people to get online, add their comments to the petition and make sure a fence is put up."

The petition has one section where people can register their support and another where they can send their condolences and messages to Mr Ripley's family.

It is accessible by logging on to http://www.barryripley.com.

An inquest last month heard Mr Ripley, 38, was flying a kite on the cliff top in September last year and did not realise how close to the edge he was as he tried to get it airborne.

It is believed the father of two took a step back without noticing where he was.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of misadventure.

It is not the first time a person has died falling off the cliffs at Seaford.

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.