WATCHET residents and traders are complaining that the 160-year-old lighthouse - the town’s most conspicuous landmark - is urgently in need of repairs and repainting before the start of the holiday season.

District council officials have cordoned off the area at the end of the West Pier after parts of the roof structure became unsafe and fell to the ground. The lighthouse last had a major refurbishment when Princess Anne visited the town in 2012. Since then, the 22ft high hexagonal structure has been attacked by rust and damaged by vandals.

Paintwork is stained by rust and salt water, the white-painted lantern is showing signs of disintegration and the weather vane has been damaged. Repairs are also needed on the door, roof and railings.

A Watchet Conservation Society spokesman said this week: "The lighthouse has always been a major tourist attraction and tourists will be disappointed if they can’t visit it. We have had many comments about its state of disrepair."

Loretta Whetlor, Somerset West and Taunton district councillor for Watchet, said: "I have been concerned about the state of the lighthouse for some time, as have many others. It needs a lot of attention. Part of the roof has fallen off and the weather-vane needs repair.

"I believe that it was unofficially repainted for Princess Anne’s visit and the wrong paint was used. There has also been some vandalism including the door being kicked in.

"We have had more urgent priorities in Watchet harbour over the past two years, including the serious breaching of the harbour wall, but I hope the lighthouse can now be dealt with before it becomes a big issue.

Cllr Whetlor added: "I have been assured that the council is aware of the problem and officers are working on a plan. In the meantime, the area will remain closed to keep the public safe, particularly during this very bad weather."

Cllr Marcus Kravis, executive member for assets at SWT, said: "In the high winds last week a small piece of the roof structure from the top section of the lighthouse was dislodged and fell to the ground.

"We are likely to need scaffolding in order to inspect the damage but cannot do this while the weather remains unsettled so have placed barriers around the area as a precaution for the protection of the public until we are able to assess the situation."

Cllr Kravis added: "The lighthouse is an important historical feature in Watchet and is subject to ongoing maintenance as its exposed position makes it prone to damage from high winds and waves.

"SWT is committed to delivering for our coastal communities and has invested significant money in improving Watchet harbour and marina.

"This has included repair of Splash Point wall and the quay roadway, redevelopment of the East Quay and much-needed dredging of the marina and harbour thanks to the council’s new marina operator."