Harbour fees will go up by 5 per cent at West Bay and Lyme Regis next season

The decision comes after a good year, helped by fine weather, at both harbours.

West Dorset councillors were told that the income increase would help the financial position and ensure continued investment in improvements.

Those changes could include kayak racks at West Bay, which had proved to be a success when they were tried at Lyme Regis this year.

In Lyme visiting craft, staying overnight, went up by 50 per cent during the year while in West Bay the pontoons were occupied to capacity for the majority of the season. Quayside parking was also up and is the waiting list for spaces.

Cllr Mary Penfold thanked staff and volunteers at both locations for their dedication and hard work.

“I would like to thank the volunteers who help out at both of these harbours...they do a huge amount of work which is greatly appreciated,” she said.

Cllr Alan Thacker said the season end report was excellent and pointed to a good future.

“Obviously these services are extremely well used. These facilities do attract a lot of people and the rises in fees are modest.”

More tributes to the harbour staff came from Cllr John Reynolds who said the harbours were the most weather sensitive service run by the council: “Whatever turns up during the day they've got to deal with,” he said.

The increases will result in an increase from in day charges from £18 to £19 for motorised vessels and from £10 to £10.50 for sailing boats. Per metre charges for private moorings will go up from £82.50 to £86.50 during the main season.