WALKERS on the King Charles III England Coast Path have been warned they are putting themselves in danger by ignoring the closure of two sections near Minehead.

Two footpaths have been temporarily closed by Somerset Council because of risks from coastal erosion and high tide surges following recent storms.

The closures will allow the Environment Agency to reinforce sea defences on the nearby beach with 4,000 tonnes of rock armour being put in place by April.

An alternative route has been signposted along Sea Lane, Marsh Lane, the A39, Seaward Way, and Warren Road.

But some walkers have ignored the directions and continued to plod ahead on the King Charles III route.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: “The paths are closed for the safety of the public due to tidal erosion having made the path unsafe.

“There is a diversion, but it would appear some walkers are not following this.

“We would urge people not to ignore the closure signs for their own safety and the safety of others.

“The Environment Agency are working on a scheme that will hopefully enable the paths to be reopened later this year.”

The footpaths affected are WL 31/24 and WL 7/8 for slightly more than a mile from its junction with footpath WL7/32 in a generally north westerly direction to the junction with Warren Road.

The current temporary closure order will remain in place until July 23.

The coastal defence work has become necessary after the discovery of erosion in a £3.7 million emergency scheme which was only completed two years ago.

About a third of a 400-yard length of sea defences has to be replaced on the beach at The Warren, near Minehead Golf Course.

The Environment Agency said the sea defence deterioration should be slowed for up to 15 years.