A DAMAGED bag is being removed “as soon as possible” from Boscombe surf reef after an inspection by divers.

Bournemouth Council said this afternoon the work is being done as a precaution, but could not yesterday say when.

Recent aerial pictures taken by Bournemouth Helicopters appear to show one bag has totally collapsed from a sand leak, and another bag leaking sand through a tear.

Tony Williams, one of the council’s executive directors, said in a statement: “ASR have been over and conducted extensive dive surveys of the reef. We await their report for detailed findings.

“Inspection has shown that we need to remove one of the bags as soon as possible, and we are arranging for that to happen. This is a precautionary safety measure.”