Muddy waters hide high stakes for seafront athletes

The signs, which stretch from Galley Hill to Normans Bay, cordon off four distinct "Award Areas" along Bexhill seafront, forbidding kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Watersports athletes claim Rother District Council (RDC) are evicting them from one of their favourite spots along Bexhill, and limiting the safe space available for their pursuits.

David Waite, of St Leonards, has been wind and kite surfing in Bexhill for 30 years. He said: "The windsurfers are up in arms about this.

"We all pay our taxes and work hard so we can enjoy our sports. Some of us go down every evening after work if it's windy."

The four Award Areas have been in place for some years, but the introduction of new signage marks an effort by Rother District Council to exercise greater control over the water.

No bylaw currently supports the ban, but an RDC working party iscurrently reviewing that situation.

The beach in front of Beaulieu Green, near Cooden, is one crucial area which is now off-limits. Sportsmen chose the spot for its lack of rocks, and relative quiet.

Other Award Areas have caused confusion.

While all the signs forbid watersports, only some - the "primary signs" - includ