HARBOURMASTER Capt Jessica Tyson has warned West Somerset youngsters of the dangers of tombstoning – the practice of jumping from harbour walls into the sea.

Ms Tyson said the harbours in Minehead and Watchet saw large numbers of pleasure craft during the summer months, with Watchet Marina currently experiencing a revival in fortunes under new owners Western Marinas Ltd.

She said there had been a number of reports of ‘local youths’ jumping off the ends of both Minehead and Watchet harbours, putting themselves at risk of death or serious injury.

Somerset Council said it was taking a ‘softly, softly approach’ to the problem, working with local partners to educate the public and keep both locals and visitors safe from harm.

Ms Tyson said: “We are having some problems both in Watchet and in Minehead in relation to the local youths, who, as we all did, and I will hold my hand up and say I have done it, jumped off the pier end.

“We do have signage up there.

“The problem, particularly in Watchet, is that they are jumping off on the band tower just at the entrance where the boats come in.

“The more traffic we get in, the greater chance there is that people will end up meeting up with a boat unexpectedly, or, worse, getting themselves seriously injured or killed.

“It is not about spoiling people’s fun, it is just about making sure that it is safe for all users.

“If somebody ran over somebody, whether it is an adult or a child, they are going to be as traumatised as the family of the person who has been involved.

“We have had a similar issue in Watchet in relation to fishing lines getting wrapped up with vessels coming in, that is a danger to navigation.”