BBQ beach ban proposed for Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare attracts thousands of visitors each year

A council is considering whether to ban fires and barbecues along a seafront.

North Somerset Council said it had proposed a ban on Weston-super-Mare's seafront in response to "complaints about damage to the local environment".

It is proposed that "no person shall light a fire, barbecue, sky lantern or firework" within the area.

Disposable barbecues are said to be responsible for about 4% of serious fires that are started accidentally, according to the Home Office.

North Somerset Council said disposable barbecues left on the ground were "dangerous" to wildlife

The council's proposal is among a number of amendments to the existing Public Space Protection Orders.

Other proposed amendments include a ban on people feeding birds on the seafront, and unauthorised camping.

Public Space Protection Orders were first introduced by North Somerset Council in 2017 to deter people from committing anti-social behaviour in public places.

A report from North Somerset Council said: "This is only relevant in public open spaces and does not apply to private property".

Councillors are due to vote on the proposals at a meeting on Wednesday.