Penryn Town Council has been told to move ahead with work to improve its port ahead of legal moves to safeguard Cornwall's harbours for their communities.

Councillors heard a report from Cornwall Councillor Loic Rich, chairman of Cornwall Council's Harbours Board, as he gave an update on the Cornwall Harbours Study.

Mr Rich told the council that work on the study - which is intended to ring fence the harbours accounts and prevent asset stripping, aiming instead at investment - was progressing but there were a number of issues to be resolved.

He added that the board was recommending that Cornwall Council seeks legal advice on the proposed new

Harbour Revision Order, which should also include a number of assets which were currently not listed, and said parliamentary lawyers tasked with drafting the order would be consulting with the town council and community.

According to the minutes of the meeting, Mr Rich said there is "no reason not to progress with any work that was required in the meantime and recommended that a mini port masterplan be developed for Penryn.

The report continues: "He explained the difficulties involved in removing wrecks from the harbour and that the harbours board ultimately had the financial backing of Cornwall Council should there be a major unexpected expense incurred due to storm damage or other unforeseen circumstances.

"He added that Cornwall Council was also liable for any corporate manslaughter claims that could arise

due to any negligence on the part of the management of the ports."

The harbours board is currently responsible for Penryn Harbour and Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth, along with eight other Cornish ports and harbours at Bude, Newquay, Penzance, Portreath, Portscatho, Portwrinkle, St Ives, and Truro.