It might be barbie weather on the coast. But there are fears a carelessly-discarded disposable cooker could spark a major blaze in vital sea defences.

Staff at a coastal estate are now mounting patrols to check none have been left smouldering on its beach at Old Hunstanton or in the sprawl of sand dunes behind it.

Charles le Strange Meakin, trustee of the le Strange Estate, said it was not unusual to find six or more in a single evening last summer - despite the fact they are banned from the beach.

Last weekend, a small fire was extinguished in the dunes before it had the chance to spread.

Eastern Daily Press: Charles le Strange Meakin, trustee of the le Strange Estate at Old HunstantonCharles le Strange Meakin, trustee of the le Strange Estate at Old Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

"My biggest fear is a fire that gets out of control in the dunes," he said.

"If the marram grass and sea buckthorn that hold them together is destroyed so are the sea defences - they'll just be washed away and then we'll have no defences."

Last summer two fires in the beach refuse skip near the lifeboat station were started by smouldering barbecues being slung inside. 

Eastern Daily Press: The dunes covered in marram grass, with beach huts behind at Old HunstantonThe dunes covered in marram grass, with beach huts behind at Old Hunstanton (Image: Ian Burt)

Firefighters managed to prevent them from spreading to nearby beach huts and the Beach Cafe.

Elsewhere large blazes broke out at nearby Brancaster Staithe, where a number of homes and vehicles were destroyed, and Snettisham.

In Hunstanton, Tesco and Sainsbury's are selling disposable barbecues.

Eastern Daily Press: A large fire broke out at Snettisham last summer destroying more than 50 acres of habitat, the cause remains unknownA large fire broke out at Snettisham last summer destroying more than 50 acres of habitat, the cause remains unknown (Image: Chris Bishop)

Both removed them temporarily from the shelves during last summer's heatwaves, after the items were linked to a number of serious fires.

Tesco said in a statement: "We're a responsible retailer and will be closely following the British Retail Consortium (BRC)’s voluntary guidelines for selling these products.

"We encourage our customers to use disposable barbecues safely and dispose of them properly, and have very clear instructions on how to do so on the packaging."

Eastern Daily Press: Stores are encouraging customers to use disposable barbecues safelyStores are encouraging customers to use disposable barbecues safely (Image: Wikimedia Commons/Namiras1)

Sainsbury's declined to comment, saying: "It's best to contact the BRC."

Adrian Simpson, the BRC's products policy adviser, said: “Disposable barbecues provide a great way for people to enjoy the summer outdoors.

"However, it is extremely important that users realise that these must be used responsibly, following the on-pack instructions and ensuring that they dispose of them correctly."