A cottage with spectacular views over the North Sea has come up for sale after being discounted by £200,000 - because it is perched near the edge of a cliff.
The semi-detached four-bedroom house built in the 1820s is around 40ft from the cliff at the end of its garden in Dunwich, near Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Erosion has endangered other homes on the coastline and sent some toppling into the sea. As a result of the potential for disaster the former coastguard cottage, which is in need of extensive renovation, has been priced at £295,000.
Stuart Clarke, a partner for agent Clarke & Simpson, which is selling the property, said the cottage was in a "fantastic position" and could be around £200,000 more expensive if it were not for the risk of erosion.
But he said that the current owner had stated that the 45ft high cliff at the end of his garden had not been affected at all by erosion in the 32 years he has lived there.
Mr Clarke added: "The cliff in that area of Dunwich is supported by vegetation which means it is less likely to erode. There has been no significant loss of the coastline in that area for a long time, although nobody knows what will happen in the long term."
The village of Dunwich dates back to Anglo Saxon times when it was the capital of the Kingdom of the East Angles. Much of the village including its eight churches have been swallowed up by the sea since the 13th century.
Mr Clarke said the elderly resident of the cottage had moved out because he was "advancing in years". He added: "He has been there since 1990 and he loves it there, but he is now a lot older and has to move. It is nothing to do with the property.
"There is strong interest in the house, both from people who want it as a second home and others who want to live permanently on the coast. It would also make a wonderful holiday let because of its position by the sea."
