Sand or land yachting is not a new phenomenon and has been enjoyed by enthusiasts since the early 1950s.

Speeds achieved by the major crafts can reach up to 116mph and the sport is practiced on both beach and dry land at airfields.

There is a growing popularity for small yachts with a slower top speed.

The incident in Blackpool is not typical for the sport, according to Peter Ashworth, director of an extreme sports organisation at Newquay, Cornwall.

It's the whole idea of one man, his craft and the wind

Peter Ashworth, Extreme Academy

"It would be a shame if the sport was vilified because of this," he said.

"Everyone that runs these sort of events will have done a risk assessment and got the necessary council permission."

The British Landsailing Association estimates there are around 500 enthusiasts in the UK, most of them members of the 10 clubs.

Mr Ashworth, whose company Extreme Academy only operates sessions for the smaller "blow carts", said it is an enthusiast's sport.

"It celebrates the great British tradition for inventing," he said.

"It's the whole idea of one man, his craft and the wind."

Sand yachts are "very controllable", he said.

Most of the larger crafts are controlled by feet.

They are three-wheeled with the front wheel dictating the direction.

Peter Ashworth: Inherent dangers at speed

The smaller blow carts are controlled by hand.

Mr Ashcroft said any organisation staging events will have assessed the area beforehand.

The sport is among many extreme activities now popular on British beaches.

"They have helped bring British beaches into the 21st century," he said, adding that there are "inherent" dangers with any vehicle travelling at speed.