COUNCILLORS have urged the Environment Minister to step in over the controversial saltmarsh issue on Cleethorpes beach.

That was the recommendation made by North East Lincolnshire Council's environment, culture and tourism scrutiny panel at a special meeting at Grimsby Town Hall on Thursday night.

It comes despite signs that government agency Natural England is "beginning to appreciate the concerns of this borough about the saltmarsh".

Tony Neul, the council's acting deputy director for neighbourhood services, told the panel that Natural England had agreed to NELC's proposal to remove some sections of the saltmarsh as part of a five-year ecological study.

However, some councillors believe more urgent action is needed to protect the resort's golden sands and tourism industry.

A decision by the cabinet to accept Natural England's request the study, which began two years ago, be completed before any decision on the future management of the saltmarsh be made, was called in.

And this week, the scrutiny panel made the recommendation, which will go before cabinet, that the council organises a meeting with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn.

It is hoped he could issue a directive that would allow the council to manage the beach north of Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and prevent the saltmarsh from spreading.

Coun Mike Burnett (Lab, Croft Baker) said: "The saltmarsh is definitely growing and it's encroaching onto the golden sands of Cleethorpes.

"What we want to do is hold it where it is. We should make inroads to contact the minister."

Coun Sue Pickett (Lib Dem, South) said: "Before we know it, we are going to have no beach."

Coun John Fenty (Con, Humberston and New Waltham) said: "This has done immense damage to the regeneration of Cleethorpes.

"We should go to the Secretary of State and demonstrate we are really up for this."