EXCLUSIVE: States spend more than £230,000 on sea lettuce problem

ITV News can reveal that Jersey's government has spent up to £234,000 trying to remove seaweed from the island's beaches over the last five years.

Many businesses affected by the stench and sight of the seaweed say that is not enough and say their livelihoods are being ruined by the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds each year.

They are demanding the States actually spend more to shift the seaweed, saying it is costing businesses more annually than what the government are spending.

Jules Barons, who runs the Lookout Beach Cafe opposite St Helier seafront, said the stench of the seaweed is putting customers who want to sit outside, off their food.

However, the Minister in charge of Infrastructure, the department responsible for clearing the beaches, says the seaweed will never be shifted for good because there is no way of completely eradicating it.

Deputy Eddie Noel explained that the States are loaning a machine from France which will completely clear the beach in time for the island's Air Display in two weeks.

Jersey States told ITV News that just over £230,000 has been spent on clearing the islands beaches, which includes seaweed.

Though they do point out that figure is not broken down specifically into removal of seaweed, as it includes other beach cleaning work.

The States broke down their figures as follows, making clear these were estimates:

Total estimated costs

• Sub-contractor costs £57,000

• Equipment costs £60,000

• Staff recharge costs £85,000

• Commissioned reports into sea lettuce problem £32,092