Woman, 23, killed by rock that fell from cliff-face during beach picnic to celebrate the end of exams 

Georgina Le Fjord, 23, was killed after being hit by a large rock that fell from a cliff-face

A young woman was killed by a large rock that fell from a cliff as she enjoyed a beach picnic to celebrate the end of her exams. 

Georgina Le Fjord was struck by the large boulder at the seaside beauty spot after it plunged around 20 feet to the ground.

Just hours earlier the 23-year-old, known to friends as Georgie Ford, had successfully completed her maths A-Level exam. 

Today her devastated boyfriend, Paul Biggs, 24, paid tribute to his 'happy' girlfriend who 'loved life.'

He told how the tragedy happened as Miss Le Fjord and Martha Ormerod, 25,  relaxed on the beach below the cliffs at Llantwit Major, South Wales.

'They were sitting about 18 feet away from the cliff,' he said. 

'We've been there many times and never thought being there would be dangerous.

'But then one large rock fell followed by some smaller rocks.'

Miss Ormerod, 25, desperately tried to help Miss Ford before the emergency services arrived at the scene.

Mr Biggs denied reports that moments before the rockfall the pair had been warned to stay away from the crumbling cliff. 

But, close to the spot where she died there are a number of signs warning about the danger of falling rocks. 

'Georgie loved being by the sea,' said Mr Biggs.

'But she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

'We wouldn't want this tragic accident to discourage anyone from going there or walking on that beach. It is a beautiful place and Georgie loved it.

Miss Le Fjord, who had changed her name from Ford by deed poll, moved to Llantwit Major with her boyfriend a year before the tragedy, after they returned from travelling.

She grew up in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and had planned to start a computer science degree at Cardiff University in September, where her boyfriend is a student. 

Her boyfriend added: 'We wanted to live by the sea and Llantwit Major was the perfect place.' 

Miss Le Fjord was sat a short distance from the crumbling cliffs at Llantwit Major, South Wales

Miss Le Fjord's boyfriend, Paul Biggs, paid tribute to his 'happy' girlfriend who he said 'loved life'

Two single pink roses have been left on the rocks below the cliff in tribute to the 23-year-old

Mr Biggs told how his girlfriend was enjoying a beach picnic with a friend to celebrate completing her maths A-Level when the tragedy happened

Coastal erosion is a growing problem along large tracts of the Vale of Glamorgan coast. 

Locals had reportedly called for the area underneath the cliffs to be cordoned off even before the tragedy occurred. 

But  Mr Biggs denied earlier reports that the two women ahad been warned by a concerned local to stay away from the cliffs before their picnic. 

He added: 'They were a good distance from the foot of the cliffs and you would never think that would happen. 

An inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned into Miss Le Fjord's death in due course. 

A South Wales Police spokesman said: 'It is a tragic accident. There are no suspicious circumstances and the coroner has been informed.'