PLANS to create a snorkelling and dive trail at Boscombe's defunct surf reef will not go ahead.

Bournemouth Council say the scheme to create a commercial dive centre and leisure diving school at Boscombe's Coastal Activity Park, which was approved in 2012, have been dropped.

The proposal formed part of plans for the seafront attraction, which has seen the installation of the climbing boulders at the beach, a table tennis terrace, new kiosk, upgraded diner and mini golf on the Pier.

New benches have also been bought, along with slacklines, beach swing ball and a musical trail.

The project was given the go-ahead in 2012, and included the commercial dive centre and leisure diving school at Boscombe Overstrand.

It was intended to capitalise on the marine life living on and around the £3million surf reef, which has been closed since the spring of 2011 after some of the sand bags deflated.

A 'try-dive facility' with a learning tank for divers was also included in the scheme, along with a dive trail of submerged artefacts for more experienced divers.

The diving proposals were expected to create up to five full time jobs and formed part of a package of measures which were given funding of £428,000 from the council - a mixture of capital receipts and reallocated capital receipts from the Boscombe Spa Project.

In response to questions about the dive centre, Bournemouth council said snorkelling and diving "regularly" take place on the surf reef, but as a "self-guided" activity.

A spokesperson said: "Both plans were notional ideas within the business case that were not taken forward for reasons including popularity, take up and implementation."

They said there were no plans to add any other activities to the Coastal Activity Park, and when asked if the council still planned to utilise the reef for diving and snorkelling, they said no.

Despite the reef not able to be used for surfing or as an 'official' dive destination, there are no plans to remove it.

A decision not to go-ahead with the dive centre plans was not made formally, as the activity is still on offer as a 'self-guided activity', a council spokesperson added.

Cllr Lawrence Williams, cabinet member for leisure and tourism added: "Obviously if an outside agency wants to run this activity then they can come and do that.

"But things do move on and obviously we are in a slightly different place financially than we were.

"We have created jobs in the Overstrand building. I am very proud of what we have done with the Coastal Activity Park.

"We have created something very popular with families; the golf course has been extremely popular."