THE terrible news this week of the death of nine-year-old Harriet Forster in a landslide on the beach in Staithes, North Yorkshire, is every parent’s worst nightmare.

What should have been a carefree, summer trip to the seaside ended in unimaginable tragedy due to an entirely random and horrendously unlucky set of circumstances.

Safety warnings about the crumbling nature of the cliffs have been reiterated following Wednesday’s events, with people living in Staithes telling how visitors often ignore danger signs and even hammer the cliffs looking for fossils.

It is right that those warnings are highlighted, particularly as geological experts have reported an increased number of rock falls in recent weeks due to the extended period of hot, dry weather.

But there is always a temptation to wrap children in an even thicker layer of cotton wool when a dreadful incident like this takes place.

There is an inherent risk that comes with life itself, whether that is crossing a road, playing a sport, walking in the countryside, or even getting out of bed on a morning.

Life – and particularly childhood – should be a journey of adventure and discovery, and young people need tempting outside away from tablets and mobile telephones more than ever.

So be sensible, heed the warning signs but still let children be children.

Our hearts go out to Harriet’s family and friends, and the emergency services who rushed to her aid.