For many who enjoy the treasured East Anglian coastline while walking man's best friend, it is a regular part of a daily routine.

But now this commonplace practice could be at risk for some dog owners along the region's shoreline.

In November, Waveney District Council will decide whether or not to extend existing regulations and ban dogs from the promenade at Southwold beach for eight months of the year - from March to the end of October.

It is a proposal that has caused the most controversy in the coastal resort since the arrival of coffee chain Costa in 2013.

While in West Norfolk, dogs are banned from the beach between April 10 and October 31, this covers Hunstanton's main beach only, with no plans to change the current restrictions.

However, such restrictions to dog owners are not the case for all coastal communities.

At Holkham beach, which won best beach category at The Kennel Club's Be Dog Friendly Awards in 2015, 'dog walkers are encouraged to keep their dogs under control and away from cordoned areas,' explained PR manager Hannah Watson.

Whereas in North Norfolk, at the beaches of Bacton, Cromer, Mundesley, Overstrand, Sea Palling, Sheringham, Walcott and West Runton, there are dog control orders on certain areas of seashore and promenades which apply between May 1 and September 30.

There are areas where dogs are banned during these dates and other areas where dogs must be kept on a lead, full details of which can be found at www.north-norfolk.gov.uk.

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