Wirral Council have agreed to stop spraying Hoylake beach with chemicals after a number of celebrities weighed in to question why it was happening.

Political writer George Monbiot and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden are just same of the big names who took to social media to slam the council’s decision to spray the beach.

According to a sign posted on the beach last week, the area was sprayed with glyphosate over a three-day period (Wednesday-Friday).

The sign – posted by Wirral Council – said there would be an exclusion from the beach until the spray is dry on the plants.

It also says no picking vegetation from the beach from August 7 to 31.

Some people who live nearby voiced their disapproval at this being done, especially in the summer – when the beach is most likely to be used.

Jade Wright asked: “Why are chemicals which stop us using the beach a good idea?”

Sam Trafford added: “What is the point in this? It’s well established that the grass is thriving because of drainage issues. And who on earth wants a bald beach anyway?”

George Monbiot called the spraying ‘madness’ – with his tweet amassing more than 6000 likes.

Deborah Meaden tweeted: “Dear @WirralCouncil why do you spray? What was your thinking?”

But community group Friends of Hoylake and West Kirby Beaches has come to the council’s defence.

The group says it strongly supports the spraying on spartina grass, which it believes should be done earlier in the year than August to be most effective.

Member Wendy Bennett said: “We believe the clear majority of local residents want to try to retain an accessible sandy beach. The invasion of beach grass will severely restrict tidal flow and increase sand accretion, even further raising the sand level and ultimately threatening the promenade.

“If the beaches are allowed to grass over, the group believes there will be economic consequences for the two towns. No-one goes walking at all on the ‘beach’ at Parkgate or, indeed, the newly grassed over ‘beach’ north of West Kirby.”

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “Thanks to everyone who has shared their views over the weekend about weed-spraying on Hoylake beach. We acknowledge there are strong and compelling views on both sides of the debate as to whether it is right to control the growth of spartina and other beach grass in this location and these concerns are reflected in the actions we take.

”Wirral Council recently voted to phase out the spraying of glyphosate in the borough, immediately after we have identified a suitable effective alternative.

”In the specific case of Hoylake beach, we have had an agreement in recent years with Natural England to manage the issue of spartina grass. That agreement allowed for the grass to be sprayed once during the summer months in a controlled manner.

”However, we are already trialling alternatives as we move towards ending the use of spraying and this should be the last summer that the beach is routinely treated in this way.”

There is much debate about whether or not glyphosate is harmful – but it is currently commonly used by farmers and gardeners.