Fed-up seafront residents have urged people not to burn wooden pallets on the beach after hundreds of nails were discovered following a recent bonfire.

Concerns have been raised that the activity poses a danger to people using the area in Whitstable and dogs walking on the pebbles.

Fef Griffin says there have been about four similar fires this year and enough is enough.

She told how last Thursday evening a group of adults played music while they gathered around a blaze.

She saw the flames from her seafront window so went to investigate and talk to the people involved.

“I just went out and said ‘It’s really not appropriate to have this kind of fire on the beach with pallets and things’,” she said.

“One of them said ‘Look, we’re responsible adults who work for a local firm - we’re having a party to celebrate somebody leaving’.”

Ms Griffin says the fire was too close to the Whitstable Yacht Club’s ramp and boats, and was concerned there would be all sorts of rubbish left in the morning.

As a committee member and volunteer for the club, she was also worried about the hazards it would pose to the CadetFest the following day.

The week-long event sees youngsters aged between 10 and 16 taking part in water-based activities and games - including on the beach.

One person from the group said they would clear up the mess, but the following day Ms Griffin discovered more than 650 nails and a singed wooden pallet left behind.

It took her more than an hour to clear up and make the beach safe for the events later that day.

“One of those nails could go into a foot or paw, and some of them were still so hot and really not comfortable to handle.”

“The thing that does worry me about these fires is the leftover stuff, and pets and children,” she added.

“One of those nails could go into a foot or paw, and some of them were still so hot and really not comfortable to handle.”

Ms Griffin also says if beach-goers expect to come down and find it in a fit state, they all have a responsibility to think about how they treat it.

Complaints about litter on the seafront have dominated headlines this summer and many have pitched ideas on how to tackle the issue.

Canterbury City Council is considering introducing a raft of stringent Public Spaces Protection Orders to crackdown on yobs and litter louts.

The plans, which include a proposal to ban beach barbecues, would see rule-breakers given on-the-spot fines.

People have until Sunday to take part in a consultation on the council’s website.

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable