A businessman, fuming over the state the beach has been left in, says he is astounded by the attitude of South Hams Council.

Andrew Turner, of the South Sands Hotel, Salcombe, contacted the council about the state of the beach after piles of seaweed were left rotting there following a particularly high tide last weekend.

Mr Turner was told by the council – which is responsible for cleaning the beach – that it would be carried out with the tide.

Mr Turner offered to put his own resources into cleaning the beach and asked if the council could provide him with a skip once in a while to dispose of the weed. He was told this would not be possible.

Mr Turner said: 'We have commissioned a marine biologist to look at the effects of having the seaweed on the beach,

'I can guess that report will say the opposite of what the council has said.

'The council are inept, they have got no vision. This mess is there as we head toward our high season. I think it should be cleaned every day during the summer weeks. It is not an exclusive beach just for guests – it is open to all. Why should anyone who stays in the area have to put up with that, lots of people use the beach.

'In this country we are used to putting up with uncompromising weather but why aren't the council pro-active?'

Mr Turner said that, as one of only 79 blue flag beaches in the country, it should be maintained to high standards to help tourism in the area.

His thoughts were echoed by Tim Tucker, from South Sands Ferry, who said: 'It's a nuisance that the hotels and ferry have to pester the council every time the seaweed gets too much.

'Why do they have to be prompted? We don't want to chase them, we just want them to check it now and again.

'Seven years ago they had a machine that towed behind a tractor once a week, leaving the beach immaculate. That only lasted two years but they used to do quite a few beaches and they looked really good.

'Now they have a blue flag on that beach it should be even more important'.

John Edwards, from the Tides Reach Hotel, said: 'It surely is a basic expectation of visitors to any serious seaside tourism area that the prime attractions for their leisure time – the beaches – are kept clean.

'The job would not be difficult but the longer it is left the smellier and more unpleasant it becomes.'

There was a time when the beach was swept fairly regularly by a tractor and a seaweed harvester.

'This kept the problem under control and involved one man for three hours once a week through the high season.

'We have a Blue Flag Award for the beach here at South Sands, which the council are very happy to promote, but the three businesses here at South Sands have to pay the application fee for the council to make the application.

'If we did not pay the fee the application would not be made and no Blue Flag would be awarded.

For agreeing to do this the businesses should be given support in ensuring that the experience of tourists and of local rate paying residents visiting South Sands is a pleasant and enjoyable one.

'They let us down by not assisting in keeping the beach a clean and pleasant public recreation area.'

A spokesman for South Hams Council said: 'The council has a statutory duty to keep the beaches it is responsible for clear of litter and refuse.

'The authority operates a beach cleaning service for the beaches it controls during the main tourist season.

'Seaweed is a natural part of the local marine biodiversity so the council will only remove rotting seaweed when it is affecting beachgoers and local businesses.

'Although there is no obligation for the council to remove seaweed, the authority is sympathetic and does recognise the impact seaweed can have when it remains on a beach for a long period.

'An inspection is due to be made of the seaweed on South Sands beach shortly and a decision will then be made about the appropriate course of action.'

But, following this response, Mr Turner said: 'It's shameless. The council only operates a beach cleaning service if someone rings them to tell them there are five dead seagulls on the beach'.

He added: 'They don't have the resou-rces to get people here to clean the beach but they managed to find two traffic wardens who were kind enough to give me a ticket last Sunday when I was out cleaning their road.'

Mr Turner's questions were all put to the council who had no further comment, saying they felt all the answers were in their previous statement.