UNDER-fire councillor Roger West has received a massive boost from Echo readers on the day he faces a move of no-confidence.

Conservative councillors will try and remove Cllr West from his position as chair of a scrutiny panel after he re-ignited the row over the state of Southbourne beach.

Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, leader of the council, said Cllr West's "irresponsible comments" threatened to harm the tourist industry and left panel members with "no choice" but to replace him as chairman of the environment and economy scrutiny panel.

But Daily Echo readers have overwhelmingly backed Cllr West.

Sam Bailey, from the Southbourne Surf Lifesaving Unit, emailed us to say: "The past two summers, the stones on the beach have really had a horrible effect.

"Me and many other of the members of Southbourne Surf Lifesaving now have a few scars on the bottoms of our feet."

Annabelle Underwood said: "Well done to Cllr West for simply speaking the truth.

"Southbourne beach has been utterly ruined and how typical of the rest of the council to bury their heads in the sand (shame they won't find much at Southbourne) and pretend it's not all that bad.

"It is, it's atrocious. I am a Southbourne resident and I opted to go to Alum Chine beach for most of the summer where there is lovely soft sand perfect for my young family."

Echo readers responding to the story on the website agreed.

Nigel Gillespie said: "Cllr West is the chair of the environment and economy panel and has the right to raise the issue relating to Southbourne beach."

Phil, of Poole, said: "The Conservatives should be addressing local issues, not indulging in this kind of skulduggery.

"It is this sort of thing that gives the council a bad name."

And Ashley Miller said: "Well done Cllr West for being honest.

"Southbourne beach is a disgrace and perhaps now something will be done about it.

"Forget who is to blame, that argument will never be closed, let the councillors and the townspeople unite and do whatever it takes to rectify the situation," he added.