PREMIER Sandbanks beach has been "given away" to the beach polo organisers for a paltry £1,500, it is claimed.

Following this year's successful two-day British Beach Polo Championships on the beach in July, organiser Sandpolo and the council agreed a five-year deal.

But Cllr Mike Brooke, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Borough of Poole, said of the charge: "It's peanuts."

"It's £1,500 for taking over the vast area of the beach for eight days or so.

"The council is giving it away. £1,500 is the cost of one table of 10 at one of the evening parties."

He added: "I am not happy with the way it has been handled and the way Poole residents are being treated over this."

Stressing that neither he nor the Lib Dems were against the beach polo, Cllr Brooke said he had received complaints from beach hut owners who were inconvenienced by the event.

He said it was unfair on voluntary groups like the beach volleyball, who were charged £200 for their tournament, and criticised the decision to proceed being taken in advance of a scrutiny committee to look into the council's role in the event.

Cllr Peter Adams, portfolio holder for leisure, said: "In negotiating a fee for next year's event, we have taken into account the huge amount of positive publicity beach polo brings to Poole, as well as the benefits to the local economy and tourist trade.

"The council is also getting free use of the polo arena for a beach football tournament in support of the Football Focus community project, which is having a positive impact on young people in Poole."

Pointing to the success of the event, he said: "It attracted thousands of spectators and promoted Poole on the national and international stage at no expense to council tax payers."

The council had agreed to work closely with Wessex Volleyball to support its tournament and avoid a clash.