While Blackpool's sea defence work has been going on, people have been restricted in the number of places they can use to get on to the sands.

But the council is to open up parades to the north and south of St Chad's headland from July 22.

The stretch of the Prom to the south of the headland will be open as far as halfway between Alexandra Road and Shaw Road, while to the north it will be as far as Barton Avenue.

It is hoped the whole of both parades will be open by the end of September – linking St Chad's to the next headlands.

But St Chad's will remain the only headland open to the public while work on the £70m sea defence scheme continues.

Among the traders worst affected by the restricted access to the beach are donkey owners who have had to cut back on the number of pitches they can operate from.

Donkey owner Mark Ineson said: "It is good news that they are going to open up more areas if that is what they are doing. At the moment people have to walk all the way from Central Pier to St Chad's before they can get on the beach.

"There is a little access point near The Manchester but it's not very obvious.

"As donkey owners, we've suffered because people give up on trying to get on the beach or think they can't go on because of the work being done.

"The sooner they open up more access points the better.

"I have heard people say they are not coming back to Blackpool till all the work is done.

"We know there has to be disruption but they really need to get moving and get on with it."

Progressing

Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for tourism and regeneration, said: "It is good news that more areas of the seafront are re-opening.
"People can see that work is progressing well and we want as little disruption as possible."

The scheme, which includes six headlands, is due to be completed by October 2009.

A bid for £25m of Lottery funding for the People's Playground failed last year but £4m of government funding has been secured for attractions on the headland being built opposite the Tower.