MORE than 1,800 people have backed two petitions urging the National Trust to abandon plans to close Studland's Middle Beach cafe.

The National Trust is set to close the toilet block at Middle Beach this Autumn, then remove the sea defences protecting the cafe - before finally demolishing the beach slipway and cafe next year. This work is part of a policy of non-intervention the trust is implementing for the coastal site, where, it says, the sea defences are reaching the end of their natural life.

However, the Middle Beach Action Group (MBAG), which says the facilities are used by thousands of families every year, has vowed to fight the policy.

Members want adequate sea defences built and the cafe, which has served visitors since before the First World War - and been in its current location since 1946 - to continue operating where it is. Studland Parish Council has also voted unanimously to oppose the demolition.

MBAG member Andrew Parsons, a retired civil engineer, explained: "Middle Beach cafe is a cultural icon. The sea defences should be repaired.

"We suspect the National Trust is using this as an excuse to move their own business interests from Knoll Beach, which is only half a metre above high water and has flooded in the past, to Middle Beach.

"This will end more than 100 years of an independent cafe here and will lead to further undermining of the identity of Studland. We don't want to become a theme park."

Residents have submitted a resolution to the National Trust AGM, scheduled for October, asking them to reverse the decision. More than 1440 people have backed an online SaveMiddleBeach petition, while more than 400 signatures have been collected at the cafe.

Phil Dyke, National Trust coast and marine advisor, explained: "The toilet block and Studland Sea School premises, both on Middle Beach, are at the most immediate risk from increased coastal erosion and landslip.

"Both buildings will be removed whilst the sea defences are still in place later this year enabling our contractors to work safely. We plan to provide temporary provision for both of these facilities in Middle Beach car park until a longer term solution can be found.

"The current location of Middle Beach café and the adjacent ice cream kiosk are better protected, at least in the short term.

"We do not believe it will be necessary to relocate them before the end of the tenants' lease in October 2017. In the meantime we are looking at sites for a new café further inland and aim to have this operational by 2018."