A shocking video shows how a disposable barbecue discarded on a Kent beach was still blisteringly hot almost 15 hours later.

The footage shows an eruption of steam after water is poured on coals inside the container, which was found discarded on Margate seafront yesterday morning.

The clip was shared on Twitter by MargateMainSands, which added: "People were here with a BBQ yesterday at 6pm, this is the remnants at 8.30am this morning. The coal is still very, very hot."

The post - which comes as a national campaign to ban beach barbecues gathers pace - sparked a stream of furious comments from residents.

One user wrote: "These people should be found and prosecuted.

"That would be better than a ban in my opinion. You should still be able to have a BBQ on the beach but just be responsible and don't leave your rubbish behind."

Another added: "Just horrific - makes me literally feel sick - precisely the sort of thing my boy stood in two years ago."

Cllr Steve Albon (Lab) - the shadow cabinet member for environmental services - is reluctant to have beach barbecues banned, but believes something must be done to prevent this kind of situation reoccurring.

“I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone’s fun by having them banned," he said.

"What I would suggest is that we have some kind of metal container which disposable barbecues can be put in safely once they’ve been finished with, because my concern with them is that hot coals left on the beach are dangerous, especially if they’re left next to flammable materials.”

Home Office data shows “about 4% of accidental primary fires can be robustly linked to barbecue use”.

Kent Fire and Rescue Services manager Leanne McMahon urges anyone using a barbecue to act responsibly and dispose of ash once it’s cold.

“We will always be there and ready to respond in times of need, but we’re asking the public to do their bit and take care to reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place," she said.

“In prolonged periods of hot, dry weather, fires can develop and spread rapidly, with greater severity.

"We want everyone to consider their actions and play a part in reducing the chance of fires taking hold, to protect people, property and nature."

Along the coast from Thanet - in Herne Bay and Whitstable - new laws banning disposable barbecues on beaches is set to be introduced.

At the same time, a national petition calling for them to be outlawed now has more than 25,000 supporters.

Councillor Helen Whitehead - Shadow Deputy Leader of Thanet District Council - praised the work of the council and of charity groups in keeping local beaches clean, while also calling for visitors to show more respect.

"Videos such as this highlight the importance of all visitors to our beaches taking responsibility and disposing of their rubbish correctly. Council employees work incredibly hard to keep our public spaces clean; but to support them in doing so we need all visitors to beaches to recognise their responsibility.

"The issue of disposal of barbecues is particularly significant, due to the dangers that they can present. Councillor Yates and I would encourage residents not to use disposable barbecues, due to the specific dangers they pose. Councils such as North Norfolk are introducing steel bins for disposal of hot coals, which is something that we will be raising for consideration by council, as well as better signage that may deter future offenders.

"Funding for direct services from central government to Thanet has reduced by 60% over the past decade with Council officers confirming that more cuts are likely next year; we will continue to push for further central government funding that would allow the Council to expand our enforcement duties and enhance services. We would like to personally thank local groups such as Rise Up Clean Up for acting on rubbish that has been left behind, and raising awareness of how important it is to dispose of rubbish correctly."