ANGRY boat owners are threatening a mutiny over sand-ridden Burry Port harbour.

The seafarers claim to be fed up with the way the £8 million marina is being run and are concerned that they may be left high and dry after a build up of sand could see the haven cut off from the Burry Inlet. Last month the sea gate to the marina was unable to close due to the sand.

While the council has applied for a dredging licence and says it hopes to have a navigable channel open in time for the boating season, some boat owners, who pay around £1,000 a year to moor their craft in the harbour, appear to be growing impatient.

One, Michael Brace, told the Star: "There has been a problem at the harbour in Burry Port since last year.

"I have been told by other boat owners we will not get a refund. The council's attitude is if you don't like it, go elsewhere."

The council has been spending up to £30,000 annually clearing a safe channel, but the situation is getting worse

It has blamed the current situation on the extreme weather.

Harbour master Rory Dickinson said: "We have witnessed sand inundation in the harbour over the past few years, but never to this extent in such a short period of time."