Popular coastal path closed by farmer

Access to one of Northern Ireland's most scenic tourist attractions has been barred by a farmer who has blockaded the coastal path between Ballintoy Harbour and White Park Bay.

Thousands of holiday makers and ramblers use the path each year, but now access is being denied by a local landowner who has wired off the wooden stile used by walkers.

The farmer has confirmed his intention is to stop people accessing the path and a nine-foot high steel fence has been erected, which stretches down the beach.

Local people say there has been public access to the path for "as long as anyone can remember".

The farmer says that access is being denied because of "health and safety reasons" and says the path will remain closed until the issues are resolved.