WATCHET’S East Pier, popular with visitors and fishermen, will be closed until experts can confirm that there is no danger to the public.

The area has been fenced off with a barrier of heavy concrete blocks, and the footpath leading from the quay to the pleasure garden at Splash Point has also been closed.

The decision follows the discovery that last week’s gales and high tides dislodged some of the three-ton boulders protecting the temporary repairs to the breached wall at Splash Point, at the entrance to the pier.

Design engineers responsible for the emergency work will meet Somerset West and Taunton Council officials next week to decide whether further precautions need to be taken.

A council spokesman said: “It was expected that extreme sea conditions might affect the temporary repairs to the breached wall.

“We are now taking advice on whether further work needs to be done -possibly more boulders or short piling – to strengthen the repairs until a permanent sea defence can be put in place.

“There is also the risk that heavy seas could overtop the temporary wall.

“The design experts will assess possible dangers to the public and decide if and when the area can be re-opened.

“It could be weeks or months, depending on the circumstances.

“Work to design a permanent solution can start in earnest once a design budget is approved by the full council later this month.”