County bosses are to decide tomorrow whether or not to press ahead with keeping a popular New Forest beach open later in the summer.

Currently Lepe Beach car park is open from 7.30am to 8.30pm and is controlled by a gate.

The beach car park was open for 24 hours a day for a period during the 1990s but toilets were damaged overnight and large amounts of litter left on the beach.

The park acquired a reputation as a venue for beach parties with people travelling some distance to use the car park, often lighting fires using whatever fuel they could lay their hands on.

However, after being contacted by residents, Hampshire County Council which oversees the car park is reviewing opening hours in the summer evenings.