Volleyball club 'forced to leave' by sauna fumes

The sauna is located along Sandbanks beach

Members of a volleyball club have said they are struggling to play on a beach in Dorset due to the fumes from a nearby sauna.

The Saltwater Sauna is located on Sandbanks Beach, in Poole, and is described as a Nordic bathing experience using a wood-fired sauna.

But Mark Fry, 59, from the Sandbanks Volleyball Club, said playing nearby was like "being next to someone who's got a barbecue going".

The Saltwater Sauna was contacted for a comment. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said it had not received any complaints about the sauna.

"It is just horrible to the point of where many times we've had to leave and go home," Mr Fry said.

"Especially if the wind is blowing or even if there's no wind at all as it lingers around.

"It just lingers in your chest and exercising for a couple of hours around it is just unhealthy."

Mr Fry went on to say he thinks the sauna could use electric heaters rather than fuel.

A BCP Council spokesperson added: "The sauna is subject to a condition that the wood burned is only to be that approved by the Woodsure Certification Scheme."

Burning wood produces more pollution than road traffic, according to research from the University of Birmingham.

Their data showed a quarter of harmful particles in the air, known as PM2.5s, come from domestic fires, while traffic is responsible for 22%.