A MAN who lives under a dilapidated boat during the summer has been told to remove the vessel from Harwich beach.

Graham Williams, known locally as Catweazle, has used the boat as his home – on and off - for a number of years.

It is believed that he has recently been living in Colchester.

Action was initially taken to try to move him on in 2012 but the situation has continued and now Tendring Council has received a number of new complaints about the boat.

Officers have visited the site on a number of occasions and Mr Williams has not been there.

A notice was stuck to the craft on Monday giving him until April 6 to remove it from the beach or it will be taken away.

If he does not do so then the council will have it taken away and stored and he will be given at least three months to collect it.

Nick Turner, cabinet member for seafronts, said: “The local feeling up to now had not been strongly against the issue and people seemed to tolerate Mr Williams being there.

“However, it is not a suitable place to live and we have received a number of complaints.

“There have been a couple of recent boat fires on that beach and there is now also a question of safety should anyone live in it.

“It is not always apparent whether he is there or not and should the boat go up in flames there is every chance he could be trapped in there.

“We feel the time has come to act which is why we have decided to serve notice and hopefully this matter will be resolved with Mr Williams.”

Harwich does not have a large stretch of beach and it is popular with visitors during the summer.

“People living on the beach is definitely not something that should be encouraged – or allowed – especially in an area where we are trying to boost tourism,” added Mr Turner.

“It now appears that he has somewhere else to live and therefore the boat should be removed.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Harwich town councillor Geoff Smith said a number of residents and Harwich Sailing Club have called for action to be taken.

“It’s a sad situation, but this also about Mr Williams’ own safety,” he said.

“There were a couple of boat fires there last year and no one should really be living on Harwich beach.

“There are events due to take place there and the boat is an eyesore.”