WEST Somerset's MP Ian Liddell-Grainger flexed his muscles on a coastal walk in the constituency on Saturday (January 21).

He was ready to do battle with Natural England representatives - but the meeting led to 'peace negotiations' instead.

Natural England, a Government partnership body, plans to create a path with public access all the way round the country's coastline.

But Mr Liddell-Grainger has argued from the outset that this would cause disruption and, he claimed, was ill thought through.

Joined by local farmer Julian Browning, of West Quantoxhead, Mr Liddell-Grainger and Natural England's Neil Constable and James Diamond walked a stretch of the coast to see how it would be affected.

"It proved to be a really useful exercise," said Mr Liddell-Grainger.

"They agreed to redefine lines behind all the caravan parks, Hinkley Point and Steart Point.

"After that, they will speak to all the land agents, redraw the path, come down here again and take it from there.

"It will probably be a three-year process but everyone is doing sterling work."

Photo: Steve Guscott