SHOCKING images have been shared of damage to a Whitehaven lighthouse.

Members of the public were left worried about the dangers of what appeared to be glass hanging from the top.

People who were in the area were watching anxiously as it was blown around in the wind.

One bystander said: “It’s dangerous.

“The piece that was flapping could have blown off and hit one of the people who where fishing. At least they where keeping a eye on it.

“The wind was light at the time and it was just flapping about.

“It needs highlighting and it looks like a cheap repair really.”

This is not the first report that there are problems with the lighthouse on West Pier.

Keith Shackley, the harbour operations manager, said: “We got a call last week about glass and when I checked there was nothing there.

“There is some plastic sheeting that that has been damaged as a result of the weather, but at the moment we’re not able to get to the top to assess it as the weather is making it dangerous.

“We will be making our way up to the top of the lighthouse as soon as the weather calms down.

“We will then decide if the plastic needs to be removed.”

The team was aware of the sheeting before it was posted on social media, but with the high winds and rain that are hitting the area, the health and safety of the staff has to come first.