DOG owners have been warned they could face a fine when the district council’s annual summer beach ban begins on Wednesday (May 1).

The authority has passed byelaws prohibiting pooches from certain parts of the beaches until September 30 each year.

The exclusion order in Sidmouth spans from the beach between the foot of the access ramp opposite Ham Lane in the east to a point 100m to the west of Jacob’s Ladder.

A dogs on leads order is also in place for the Esplanade and continues westward along the concrete walkway adjacent to the beach, along the base of the cliffway and includes the concrete area in front of the beach huts at Jacob’s Ladder.

Council chiefs have warned that uniformed and plain clothes enforcement officers will be patrolling all areas throughout the summer - and people found walking their dogs in banned areas may be served with a fixed penalty notice.

This carries a fine of £80. If any case is taken to court there could be a penalty of up to £1,000.

A council spokesman said: “We still have many areas where dogs are welcome and visitors who are unsure about where they may take their dogs onto the beach are strongly advised to check the signs or our website, www.eastdevon.gov.uk/dog_ban_area, before taking their dogs onto the beaches.