Sand yachts and other wind-powered vehicles, which can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, are to be banned from a popular west Wales beach because of safety concerns.

Carmarthenshire Council want to impose the ban on Cefn Sidan beach, near Pembrey, after a woman was killed in a collision with a sand yacht in Lancashire last month.

The ban should remain in place until a full review is carried out by the county council's beach safety review group

Elwyn Hughes, Carmarthenshire council

The six-mile beach is a leading venue for sand-yachting and some events have already been cancelled.

The council is expected to rubber stamp its decision on Thursday.

Sand yachts, and other beach craft like kite buggies and parakarts will be outlawed until a full safety investigation has been carried out.

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

The British Landsailing Association estimates there are around 500 participants in the UK.

The council says the death at St Anne's beach in Lancashire has highlighted the possible dangers of wind-powered craft.

Officers say the ban is needed to ensure every possible precaution is taken to avoid another tragedy.

Carmarthenshire's countryside recreation manager Elwyn Hughes said: "The incident at St Anne's will result in an inquiry and probable revision of the precautions and procedures necessary for this type of activity.

Review

"In the interim period, it is considered appropriate that a prohibition be placed on all wind-powered craft activity on Cefn Sidan beach.

The vehicles are expected to be banned from the beach until the county council's beach safety review group have examined the implications of the activity.

Mr Hughes said: "In view of the serious nature of the Lancashire incident and the need for urgent action, two events have already been cancelled."

Cefn Sidan beach has won a European blue flag for cleanliness and is a leading venue for the sport of sand yachting, annually staging the Welsh leg of the British championship.