Sandy problem

WHEN gales blew half of Blackpool beach into Arthur Bulmer's garden he thought the sensible solution was to cart it back where it belonged.

So he was stunned when council bosses warned him that if he moved the sand back on to the shore they would prosecute him for fly-tipping. And if found guilty he could be fined £50,000 or even go to jail.

Furious Arthur, 79, who lives opposite the beach in St Anne's, Lancs, said: "I think it's crazy. I am sure my sand is cleaner than the stuff on the beach because that gets covered in dog muck. The sand is not my property. It has just invaded my garden from over the road."

The civic-minded pensioner said he was just trying to do what is right for the environment and save the council a job. He added: "Now I will have to use a specialist waste disposal firm and that will cost £500."

Storms have left gardens, roads and footpaths in St Anne's covered in tons of sand which is up to 20ft deep.

Fylde borough council said: "The council has no responsibility to clear sand from private land, the owner must do this. However, dumping anything from your garden on to the beach constitutes fly-tipping."