Beach-goers lighting up disposable barbecues face £100 fines when new rules are introduced in a Kent district next weekend.

The divisive ban will be among a raft of strict measures enforced across Herne Bay and Whitstable from Saturday (April 1) in a bid to crack down on antisocial behaviour.

Also outlawed as part of the updated coastal public space protection order (PSPO) are pier-jumping, riding unregistered jet skis and drinking alcohol when told to stop by officials.

The rules will be enforced by the police and Canterbury City Council to stamp out nuisance behaviour that "spoils a trip to the seaside for others, especially families".

Those who refuse to follow the rules when asked by a police officer or one of the authority's enforcement officers will be hit with a £100 fixed penalty notice.

Rule-breakers could also face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 for more serious breaches.

But when the new PSPO was signed off by councillors in January, there were concerns about how effectively it could actually be enforced.

Tankerton Tory Neil Baker said: "A lot of the issues that affect people’s quality of life are happening quite late at night, so will we have enforcement staff out late at night? I assume the answer’s no.

“I do worry about whether we’re giving people an expectation that all is going to be well when we’re not actually going to be enforcing.

Disposable barbecues are deemed to be a risk to beach users and wildlife as they are often left discarded, with scorching-hot coals not safely extinguished.

During a public consultation on the changes, 621 people opposed outlawing the single-use grills, while 545 supported the move.

Whitstable councillor Clare Turnbull (Green) described lighting up on beaches as "a very harmless" activity.

Her colleague, Val Kenny added: "It's like using a rather large sledgehammer to crack a nut. We don’t need lots of draconian rules."

But the authority's enforcement lead, Cllr Ashley Clark, defended the introduction of new rules, saying similar measures have been seen to act as a deterrent.

"They work for example with the dog ones, where people have got to carry the means to pick up after their dog," he said.

“My pockets are full because I’m in terror that I’m going to be stopped and asked if I’ve got a bag with me when I’m out with my dogs.

“We’re not going to solve the problems, but we’re going to go some of the way and that’s what it’s all about.”

The new PSPO will cover 14 miles of beaches and promenade between Seasalter and Reculver.

An earlier draft of the measures would have banned anyone from swigging drinks from a glass bottle in the areas covered by the order - but this rule was later ditched.

However, beach-goers continuing to drink alcohol when asked to stop by council or police officers will be fined.

Fixed penalty notices will also be dished out to people camping on the coast, starting open fires, and recklessly throwing stones or pebbles.

People jumping from Herne Bay Pier, Hampton Pier or Whitstable Harbour also risk a fine.

The council's deputy director of people, Marie Royle, said: "This set of common-sense rules are designed to protect our wonderful coastline and its wildlife, a genuine jewel in the district’s crown, while ensuring everyone can enjoy themselves while keeping and feeling completely safe and respecting others around them.”

For more detailed information on the areas covered and the PSPO’s requirements, visit canterbury.gov.uk/pspo.