A petition calling on councillors to reconsider their decision to refuse permission for a raised lifeguard hut, as requested by the RNLI, has been presented.

The charity's request for a new hut, which it claims will allow lifeguards to better see Lyme Regis beach when busy, was turned down at a recent full meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council.

The RNLI said a raised hut would enable lifeguards to see more of the front beach when it is busy and have a much better view of the water. It was considered by the charity to be 'an important safety enhancement' and the hut would be removed when not in use during the winter months, operating from July to September in the same location as the existing hut. The charity said it had hoped to build something similar to what is on Weymouth beach.

But town councillors said the new hut was too large and was 'ugly and unnecessary' and the request was refused. 

Last week, the RNLI responded to the decision by saying it was 'extreme disappointment' and claimed the facility will 'vastly improve the safety of families.'

Lyme Regis resident Ryan Turner set up a petition on change.org calling on councillors to rethink their decision.

It was presented to the town council's town highways and management committee, having gathered more then 700 signatures. 

It was agreed that a meeting would be set up between the RNLI and councillors and that the matter will be discussed further at a future council meeting.