THE UK’S first ever eco-friendly mini golf attraction will be removed later this year, three years after it closed.

The Boscombe Pier mini golf, which gave players the opportunity to tee off and feed the fish at the same time, closed three years ago after BCP Council deemed it wasn’t commercially viable.

A spokesperson for BCP Council said the equipment would be removed later this year, with no plans to replace it.

READ MORE: BCP Council takes Sandbanks Crazy Golf in-house

They did say, however, there were early stage talks on what could be put on the pier in its place.

The course, which opened in 2016, zig-zagged along the pier, with players hitting the ball through the hole at the end.

Once the balls, known as an Ecobioball, hit the water, they would biodegrade in less than 48 hours, releasing fish food inside the ball.

Speaking weeks after the course opened in 2016, Alexander Dagg, a mini golf attendant, said: “It opened during the weekend of the Wheel Festival and was really popular.

“Unfortunately the weather hasn’t been that great over the last couple of weeks but I think it will be really popular over the summer holidays.”

It comes just weeks after it was announced the Sandbanks Crazy Golf course would be taken in-house by BCP Council.

Questions remained over when the course would reopen while the council carried out “essential improvement works”.

READ MORE: Sandbanks play park and mini golf closed for Easter

Providing an updated statement, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “In response to recent queries, we are happy to reassure residents that Sandbanks Mini Golf is continuing.

“The current operator had reached the end of their lease and we had already prepared to bring the service in-house into the council.

“Currently we’re doing some improvement works on site before re-opening the mini golf ahead of the summer season.

“It’s a well-loved activity for residents and visitors and we’re glad to protect its future.”

However, former leader of the council, Cllr Vikki Slade, questioned why it was not run as it is now and improved in the winter.

She said: “It’s a really well-used, well-loved crazy golf course that provides an affordable attraction for people visiting Sandbanks.

“The fact they are closing it down to redevelop it concerns me. That is why I am asking questions about how much they are spending and whether it will affect the prices for the public.

“I think it will be really sad to see it fenced off and closed for the spring season.”