Popular family beach in Tenby is getting washed away leaving dangerous power cables exposed

ONE of Britain’s most popular beaches is losing its sand as it’s steadily being washed away by the sea.

As a result, power cables and other hazards are now exposed, leaving families who visit in danger.

Dangerous power lines have been exposed due to sand being washed away

The town attracts around 500,000 holidaymakers each year, who are drawn to the long sandy shores of its Blue Flag-holding South Beach.

But tourism bosses fear visitors will not come back if urgent action is not taken to save the one-and-a-half mile-long beach.

Power cables, sharp rocks and even sand bags are some of the hazards now exposed after the sand has been washed away – and there are fears that it could be gone forever.

Signs have been placed on the beach to warn visitors of potential dangers.

Business owner Marianne O’Shea, who manages a seaside snack bar, said: “It is the worst I have seen in 20 years.”

The beauty spot attractions some half a million visitors each year

Sand has washed away from South Beach in Tenby, leaving dangerous hazards

The sand has washed away, with some blaming climate change

Locals fear the effect on tourism if it does not recover

Locals fear climate change or the removal of groynes (a barrier to stop erosion) from the beach could be to blame for the disappearing sand.

But council chiefs are hopeful the change is cyclical – and the sand will naturally return by summer.

Pembrokeshire Council’s coastal engineer Emyr Williams said: “It has happened before although I would admit that it’s particularly bad this year.

“The sand will return eventually – probably in time for the school holidays.

“The volumes of sand needed to build a decent beach here would be enormous – around ten million cubic metres at enormous expense and for no obvious benefit.”

The beach was handed both Blue Flag status and Seaside Resort Award last year.