A Blackpool pensioner has been threatened with legal action if he puts sand which blew into his garden back on the beach.

Council officials threatened to prosecute Arthur Bulmer, 79, who lives opposite the beach in St Anne's, Lancs, for fly-tipping.

And if found guilty he could be fined £50,000 or even go to jail, reports the Mirror.

Storms left gardens, roads and footpaths in St Anne's covered in tons of sand up to 20ft deep.

Mr Bulmer said: "I think it's crazy. I am sure my sand is cleaner than the stuff on the beach because that gets covered in dog muck. The sand is not my property. It has just invaded my garden from over the road."

The civic-minded pensioner said he was just trying to do what is right for the environment and save the council a job.

He added: "Now I will have to use a specialist waste disposal firm and that will cost £500."

Fylde borough council said: "The council has no responsibility to clear sand from private land, the owner must do this. However, dumping anything from your garden on to the beach constitutes fly-tipping."