Residents in a seaside town in Cornwall have launched a campaign to stop tonnes of sand from being removed from a beach and sold for profit.

Hayle beach, close to St Ives, is described as a vast expanse of golden sand backed by sand dunes, but it seems all is not well in the picturesque town.

Local campaigner Sophie Daniels claims that “the once tranquil beach is suffering as tonnes of sand are removed day and night, sold for profit with no thought of the environmental repercussions.”

She said: “Authorities justify the mining, claiming it is necessary for keeping the channel clear for fishermen. 

But the reality is clearly different, excavation is taking place on the beach, far from the central channel they declare to keep clear.”

Hayle beach, which was crowned the UK’s best beach in Cornwall this year by the Times, has seen heavy machinery used in the area to remove tonnes of the golden sand.

The petition on Change.org has so far garnered 1,900 signatures since its launch a fortnight ago.

Ms Daniels claims that: “The ill effects of this relentless mining are evident. 

“Night-time operations disrupt peace, and the incessant excavation poses a risk to our children's safety on the beach. 

“Furthermore, it's a serious threat to the delicate ecosystem and local wildlife that call this beach home.”

Authorities have argued the dredging is required to keep the channel clear for fishing.

Peter Haddock, Hayle harbourmaster, told Cornwall Live: “Regular dredging is needed in four areas at Hayle Harbour to provide a safe channel for fishing and sailing boats to navigate.

“Dredging also maximises the flow of the tide to naturally flush the channel, maintaining the estuary's ecosystem as well as contributing towards managing flood risk.

“Hayle Harbour Authority is responsible for regular dredging under The Hayle Harbour Act 1989.

“Dredged sand is sold to local business, Padstow Seasand and Aggregate Ltd.”

A spokesman for Hayle town council said: “Councillors recognise the need for a safe navigable channel to access the harbour, but ultimately they also have grave concerns about the possible long-term damage to the local environment and ecology and believe that the reinstatement of a routine sluicing regime would be more beneficial and acceptable to the Hayle community.”

The council spokesman added that key environmental bodies have been consulted and the harbourmaster has been asked to replenish the dunes.