• the best place to collect fossils is on the lower beach where fossils are being washed clear of mud and sand



• watch out for patches of blue-grey mud which may be much softer than they look



• wet and weedy rocks are always slippery - keep off them



• keep well away from the base of cliffs and on no account attempt to remove fossils from any steep slope or cliff



• wear a safety hat if you need to approach close to a cliff to look at strata - preferably use binoculars from a distance



• avoid having to use a hammer to split rocks, but if you have to make sure you wear safety glasses and tough gloves



• keep close to the leader at all times - he knows the tides and local conditions better than you!