A date has been set for a public inquiry into the controversial issue over whether Snettisham's coastal footpath should be open to the public.

A six-day hearing at the village's memorial hall, in Old Church Road, to resolve the row which has gone on for more than four years is due to start on June 10.

Norfolk County Council (NCC) made an order for the path between Snettisham Beach car park and the Norfolk Coast Path at Hunstanton to be a public right of way.

However some owners of beach chalets along the footpath objected, meaning that a government planning inspector must now be called in to hear evidence from all sides and make a final decision.

In the meantime, no chalet or caravan owner has any right to prevent you walking on the beach footpath,' a spokesman for the parish council said. 'Any threats of trespass prosecution must be referred to the police.'

Snettisham parish councillor Ann Lamplugh said many villagers are likely to turn out in support of the path becoming a public right of way at the inquiry.

The parish council is set to organise an open day next month, where people will be able to express their views about the ongoing dispute.

It has argued that Beach Road has been open to tourists and residents for hundreds of years but was only taken off the Ordnance Survey map during the second world war for national security reasons.

Mrs Lamplugh, of Sheepbridge, has since organised a petition with her neighbour Elizabeth Powers which has attracted 2,000 signatures.

Snettisham Parish Council chairman Eric Langford said that showed: 'People are so much in favour it makes a mockery of the few people who are making an objection.'

Mrs Lamplugh added: 'We know people who still live in the village whose families have walked along the footpath for generations.'

What do you think should happen to the footpath? Contact EDP reporter Andrew Papworth on 01553 778681 or andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk