Around 1,000 tonnes of sand mixed with building materials was dumped

A section of one of Bournemouth's famous beaches has been closed to the public following the discovery of white asbestos.

The area, between Flag Head Chine and Shore Road, was cordoned off on Wednesday morning after Poole Borough Council health inspectors found discoloured sand.

It is thought the Blue Flag beach has been contaminated with building rubble and spoil recently deposited by a building contractor from a development on Shore Road.

Around 1,000 tonnes of the sand mixed with building material particles, which has been spread over a 250-metre section, may now have to be removed.

Small quantities

But Peter Pawlowski, who is head of the borough council's consumer protection services, described the risk to anyone who has been on the beach as "minimal".

He said: "Our preliminary investigations have shown that white asbestos, which was a common building material until the 1980s is present in small quantities.

"Whilst some building spoil is visible on the surface, we have only found asbestos material below the surface.

"However, due to the wet conditions the risk of fibres escaping is extremely small."

Test results

Further tests on samples from the affected area were due to be carried out.

Councillor Jonathan Pethen, environment portfolio holder, said: "Like all residents, I am extremely concerned that this has happened.

"A full investigation is underway to examine how this could have occurred and we are working with the contractor to resolve it.

"If the preliminary test results are confirmed we will immediately make arrangements to remove all of the deposited sand from the affected area."

The famous beach has been awarded European Blue Flag status for the past 15 years for its clean water and sound environmental management.