An effort to ban plastic flying rings from north Norfolk’s beaches has been stymied by legal red tape.

Christopher Cushing, North Norfolk District Council’s Conservative group leader, put forward a motion at this week’s full council meeting calling for the rings - which are a danger to seals - to be prohibited. 

But although the idea attracted wide cross-party support, the council was told it was unable to legally enact a ban.

Mr Cushing, who represents Lancaster North ward, said: “I’m sure all of us have watched television footage of seals with deep wounds around their necks. [The rings] cause extreme injury and suffering. 

Eastern Daily Press: NNDC councillor Christopher Cushing.NNDC councillor Christopher Cushing. (Image: Supplied)

“We are blessed in our district with a number of seal populations, particularly focused around Wells and Blakeney, and also Horsey, and the council has signed up to the Safer Seals campaign. 

“If we can do one thing that saves one seal from getting a ring around its neck, it will certainly be worthwhile.”

But councillor Tim Adams, NNDC leader, said: “Having taken lots of different advice, we have no legal framework with which to ban the rings, sadly. Otherwise we would have.”

Mr Adams suggested measures including working with the Friends of Horsey Seals to discourage the use of plastic rings, and having the council’s foreshore officers speak to beach visitors about the rings.

Other steps the council will take include talking to the RNLI about their ability to monitor plastic ring use, engaging with shops that sell the rings, renewing existing warning signs and considering putting up more signs asking for the rings not to be used. 

The council also plans to engage with the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, where many injured seals are taken.

All councillors voted in favour of the measures apart from Nigel Housden, who abstained from the vote because he thought a broader “multi-species” approach to conservation should be taken. 

Last month, it was reported that King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council had resolved to ban the plastic rings from its beaches, following a campaign launched by a member of the Friends of Horsey Seals.

But NNDC councillors heard this was only an ‘advisory ban’ as that authority faced the same obstacles it did.