DORSET County Council has called for a solution to the dispute over Lyme's lost coast path, or it will use compulsory powers to open a new path.

Walkers turned out en masse at last Thursday's rights of way committee meeting at Lyme Regis Golf Club to make sure their message was heard loud and clear.

Walkers told the committee that they want a path along the cliff top, so they don't have to miss out on the spectacular views across Lyme Bay - currently being enjoyed only by golfers.

The path above Black Venn between Lyme and Charmouth was destroyed by major landslips in 2001 following the wet winter, leaving no room for walkers between the cliff edge and the golf club's playing area.

This meant the path had to be closed for safety reasons and walkers have been directed inland ever since.

The county council said this week that negotiations with the golf club to keep the path running along the cliff top had stalled because cliff falls were reducing the club's playing area as well as the coast path.

Following Thursday's meeting, the county council's rights of way committee called for the club, walkers and officers to find a solution by December or compulsory powers may be granted to open a new path.

Committee chairman, Philip Gaussen, said: "This is such an important path for Dorset and the South West - one more chance needs to be given to agree a sensible new path along this lovely stretch of coast."