Warning to keep beach gates clear

Rescue craft need 24 hour access to the beach, coastguards say

Motorists who have been blocking gates to a Somerset beach are putting lives at risk, coastguards have warned.

Sedgemoor District Council closed the access to Berrow beach in October for the winter period.

But some drivers wanting to take a walk on the beach have been parking in front of the gates in recent weeks.

Coastguard and rescue hovercraft crews warned that valuable time could be wasted in getting vehicles moved in the event of an emergency.

Mark Newman, chairman of Burnham Area Rescue Boat, said: "We have had call-outs to Brean and Berrow over previous Christmas holiday periods when walkers have got into difficulty on the mudflats.

"Access onto the beach here is vital."