The government is to consult on access to England's coastline

Natural England was asked by ministers to look at the issue of access along the 2,500 miles of coast.

It found only 50% of this land could be accessed and has said fences should be removed and more pathways created.

However the Country Land and Business Association has said landowners would have to be compensated and warned about safety issues along coastlines.

Richard Leith, of Natural England, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the group's research had shown the public had limited access of areas behind beaches.

"So many times people try to walk along, particularly the tops of cliffs, and find themselves squeezed between very intensive agriculture on one side and an eroding coast with a barbed wire fence right up on the other and at some point that path runs out entirely."

Speaking on the same programme, Douglas Charmers, of the Country Land and Business Association, said landowners such as farmers could have their ability to earn a living or the value of their property compromised by the proposals.

He added: "Coasts are not a safe place to walk around and we are concerned about who will have the liability, who will be responsible if there are accidents."

The Natural England proposal is to be sent to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the government is expected to consult on improving coastal access later this year.