Call to clear 10ft (3m) high pebble ridge in Minehead, Somerset

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Minehead, Somerset
Image caption,
The lifeboat charity said Minehead's pebble ridge was "growing with every tide" and had become a "real hazard" to boaters and beach users

A 10ft (3m) high ridge of pebbles blocking a harbour in Somerset is "unacceptably dangerous" and must be removed, the RNLI has said.

The charity said the ridge in Minehead was "growing with every tide" and was a "real hazard" to boaters and walkers.

"There is nothing to mark it when it is covered by the tide and it could be absolutely lethal," a spokesman said.

The district council, which owns the harbour, said despite clearing the build-up "the problem has returned".

Over the past few months, according to the RNLI, "accumulated beach material" has blocked the town's harbour and led to a build up of several feet of mud and silt.

It said lifeboat crews had already rescued an elderly man who had become "trapped waist deep in the mud while trying to cross" the harbour.

"It is vital the harbour remains open and usable," said Dr John Higgie, from the RNLI.

"Because of the natural drift of material from the cliffs to the west it has to be accepted that there is always going to be some sort of problem.

"But what we are looking at now is a major obstruction and the longer it is allowed to remain there and growing with every tide the more expensive it is going to be to remove it."

West Somerset Council said it was "well aware of the problems" and had notified the UK Hydrographic Office and harbour users.

"Earlier this year the council commissioned work to clear the build-up but the problem has returned due to the natural tidal action and effects of the weather," a spokeswoman said.

She said a meeting was due to be held on Tuesday to discuss what further action could be taken.

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