SUN worshippers hoping to spend the summer on an idyllic public beach in Flatts will have to break the law to do so.

According to a report in the, Police Beach has become embroiled in controversy after a 'No Trespassing' sign was planted on the spot. Following an investigation by the publication, the sign was removed, but has since been replaced by another sign.

But in a front-page story last week, Works & Engineering Minister David Burch, along with a chartered surveyor from the Ministry, confirmed that the beach was open to the public.

Lt. Col. David Burch told the publication: "The beach is a public beach and every step will be taken to ensure that the public knows that fact and uses it."

But the understands that, while the beach is on public property, access to it can only be gained by trespassing on private property.

The beach got its name after a landowner granted permission for members of the Police Service to walk through her property to access the beach. However, access was denied to the general public.

But the family which owns the surrounding land has now retracted the police privilege ? and the prime sunbathing spot can now only be reached via the shoreline, or by trespassing on private land.

Yesterday a police spokesman confirmed that the Service no longer had permission to walk through the private property.

"The family gave the police access to the beach for a number of years," the spokesman said.

"For reasons unknown the family has since taken back sole possession of the beach and, as far as the police are concerned, that's the situation as it stands right now. If something else has transpired you will need to speak to the Minister of the Environment or any other Minister who is making that claim."

A spokesman for the Ministry of the Environment was unable to provide an official statement on the matter by press time last night.