A 'totally bonkers' plan to charge surf schools a tax to bring more cash into Cornwall Council coffers has been slammed by one of Cornwall's MPs.

The move would see officials skim off four per cent of beach traders' gross income, including surf schools, for them trading  from council-owned beaches.

This would translate into a much higher percentage of the companys' profits.

The move would also see businesses that hire kayaks, those offering windsurfing lessons and even those offering lifeguarding qualifications charged.

Stephen Gilbert, Newquay's Lib Dem MP has called the plans, “totally bonkers, not workable" and "very possibly not even legal".

Adding the tax on tourism, surfing and on jobs in Cornwall would be a "total wipe out for many local businesses. .

Hev said: “We know how important our beaches are for everyone who lives in Cornwall and the many thousands who visit.  For Cornwall Council to announce a tax on surf schools will damage the local economy and deter visitors from learning this great sport.  I can’t see it being very enforceable, unless we are going to give council officers boards to paddle out on and it’s probably not even legal as the shoreline is owned by the Crown and the sea belongs to everyone.”

Stephen Gilbert, who has discussed the plans with Surfers’ Against Sewage and Surfing GB, added,

“If the Council believes that this measure is about ensuring safety, then we can do that without charging local surfing business and creating all the associated red tape.  There’s a real need for them to think again on this and to drop the plans for a surfing tax that simply don’t stack up.”

A petition has been launchd to try and force the council to backtrack on the plans. It says: "We, the undersigned, are calling on Cornwall Council to reconsider charging surf schools for access to beaches in Cornwall as we feel this will be a tax on surfing that will do great damage to the local economy."

Surf Schools have until April 3 to apply for a three year licence.

Joyce Duffin, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for housing and environment said: “We recognise that some providers who have previously operated from council beaches for free and without any regulations may be unhappy about the new scheme, but the stark reality is that if we want to maintain front line services to keep our beaches clean and safe it is only right that the industries that directly depend on the beaches contribute towards this.”