SAND wars have broken out Dawlish Warren has accused Exmouth of stealing its golden sand. Thousands of tonnes of sand, which made Dawlish Warren one of the most popular bucket and spade venues in Britain, has shifted across the estuary to rival resort E

SAND wars have broken out - Dawlish Warren has accused Exmouth of stealing its golden sand.Thousands of tonnes of sand, which made Dawlish Warren one of the most popular bucket and spade venues in Britain, has shifted across the estuary to rival resort Exmouth - leaving just bare rocks and shingle in its place.Dawlish Warren locals are angry and want their sand back, claiming the sand's disappearance will have a knock-on effect on tourism.But, while Exmouth is sympathetic to its neighbour's plight, the town says Dawlish Warren's loss is their gain and there is nothing it can do about it.East Devon MP Hugo Swire said there was no need to panic because a DEFRA funded coastal study in March 2007, in conjunction with East Devon District Council and other agencies, was due to report back in June 2008 with the aim of providing a sustainable coastal management plan following a public consultation.He said sand in the Exe Estuary regularly shifted for a number of different reasons, although there was uncertainly as to the cause. It was recognised it could lead to an increase in the risk of flooding and damage to tourism, added Mr Swire."I will await with interest the findings of the coastal study. What we do not need at this stage is any sensationalism," he said.Teignbridge District Council, the authority responsible for Dawlish Warren, wants the Environment Agency to build new defences, but the agency has ruled that out for at least five years.Dawlish town councillor Wally Protheroe said: "I have been here for 22 years and never seen the beach in such a poor state. "It may be just coincidence, but the sand seems to be now ending up at Exmouth.