New restrictions for dogs are set to come into force on a handful of beaches across Cornwall from today (May 15).

Cornwall Council is responsible for setting public space protection orders (PSPOs) which restrict the times that dogs can be taken on some of the Duchy's beaches.

The orders do not apply to all beaches and this year the council moved to harmonise them to make it easier for residents and visitors.

Under the new arrangements, the majority of beaches which have PSPOs will only have restrictions in July and August.

However, some beaches in Cornwall which have Blue Flag status or a Seaside Award will have restrictions starting from today (May15).

Blue Flag is a status awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches which are well managed, have excellent water quality and environment education programmes.

Seaside Awards are given by Keep Britain Tidy and are based on safety and services, environmental management and water quality.

The longer restrictions on Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches are due to the requirements of the award status.

Under the new PSPOs agreed this year Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches which allow dogs will not allow them from 10am to 6pm from May 15 to September 30.

Those beaches are:

Carbis Bay Beach

Crooklets Beach, Bude

Polzeath Beach

Porthmeor Beach, St Ives

Porthtowan Beach

Trevone Beach, Padstow