GRANTS to help parish councils in Combe Martin and Instow keep their public beaches free from litter, have been cut by North Devon Council.

It will no longer pay £1,800 to Instow Parish Council and £1,500 to Combe Martin Parish Council to help keep the public bathing areas clean.

Both parish councils will now have to rely on limited funds to maintain the popular tourist beaches.

In recent years both beaches have had problems with bathing water quality, but both parish councils say beach cleaning is not a factor in the water getting polluted.

Michelle Beaumont, clerk of Combe Martin Parish Council, said a workman is employed to remove debris twice-a-day during the summer period.

Mrs Beaumont said: "The operation costs us around £8,000 and it does not really help us by taking away such a large chunk of money."

Combe Martin Parish Council completed its precept request — for its share of the council tax bill — before the decision was made to slash the beach cleaning grant.

Sue Sussex , a Combe Martin parish and district councillor, said: "There's nothing in Combe Martin without the beach.

"It has huge economic benefits to the area which is why I am slightly disappointed at the decision."

But Cllr Sussex said she fully understands North Devon Council is also facing budgetary pressures and being forced to reduce various grants.

Leader of North Devon Council Des Brailey said: "Because of the financial situation, the council needs to make savings where possible.

"A decision was made to no longer provide the beach cleaning grants for Combe Martin and Instow.

"Both parish councils have the ability to secure funding elsewhere and we will support and advise them where possible."

Instow Parish Council lease the beach from Christie Estates and spend around £5,000 every year keeping it clean.

Roger Jacob, clerk of Instow Parish Council, said: "The situation is more complicated in Instow because it is connected to the use of the car park and negotiations are continuing with the district council."