Asbestos found at a beach - forcing its closure - came from a former landfill site which was exposed due to coastal erosion, it has been revealed.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) closed the beach at The Warren, in Folkestone, to the public on May 27 after it was found to be contaminated.

The next day, the authority revealed the potentially hazardous materials discovered along the coast contained asbestos.

Experts worked on the site to remove the contaminants and took samples, for which the council is still awaiting the results.

But FHDC has now revealed the asbestos appears to have come from an old landfill site which has been exposed following coastal erosion.

A wall made from rocks has been built around the area to protect it, while the council works on a short and long-term plan.

It is not known when that section of beach might reopen.

A spokesman for FHDC said: "The asbestos contamination at The Warren appears to come from an old landfill site which has been exposed due to coastal erosion.

"We have taken measures to close the beach and clean up any obvious contaminants in the area.

"Specialists have collected samples and we are awaiting the results.

"A rock revetment has been built around the site to provide protection through the summer period.

"Once we know more about the test outcomes, a plan will be developed to ensure the ongoing safety of the site - both in the short and long term.

"The beach is being monitored regularly by our officers.

"It will be reopened when we are confident there is no risk to the public."

The topic was raised at a special Q&A session held by FHDC via a virtual Zoom meeting yesterday.

A member of the public has asked: "Please can you give us an update on the asbestos contamination at The Warren - how did it get there, how likely is it to happen again, how dangerous is it to health, and what is being done, now and in the future?

Cllr David Monk, leader of FHDC, gave the same response as above, but added that while the asbestos appears to have come from an old landfill site there is in fact "no formal record" of it.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone