The council is spending �50,000 on the preventative work

Oddicombe Beach in Torquay is home to the famous cliff railway, but it has been under threat for some years because of rockfalls from the cliffs

The European Blue Flag beach attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Part of it has already been closed for safety reasons and preventative work is being carried out to make sure the cliffs are safe in the summer.

Torbay has already lost nearby Redgate Beach due to rockfalls, and Torbay Council wants to make sure Oddicombe does not go the same way.

About �500,000 needs to be spent on the cliff railway

It is spending �50,000 on the work.

The cliff railway to the beach is also proving a major drain on council resources and �500,000 will need to be spent on it over the next five years to keep it going.

Rob Frost, who runs the Oddicombe Beach Cafe, said he was concerned about the future of the beach and railway and the way the council was handling it.

He said: "Oddicombe Beach is one of the jewels in the crown of Torbay and one of the most beautiful areas in this country.

"The council has only just realised we mustn't lose it as a tourist attraction, especially the cliff railway which is a huge attraction to the area and we must keep it maintained and keep it running."

Torbay councillor Alan Faulkner said the council realised Oddicombe was one of the top beaches in the whole area.

Redgate Beach has already had to close because of rockfalls

He said: "We have got to maintain it and make sure it's safe for people to come down and see it.

"Even local people love to bring their children down and enjoy themselves on Oddicombe Beach."

The cliff railway started operating in 1926, but was closed during World War II for security reasons.

It was refurbished and re-opened in 1951, and in 1993, �60,000 was spent replacing the track.