A waterlogged field will delay the opening of the park and ride at Lyme Regis this Easter.

The ground conditions are far too wet to allow the service to open as planned this weekend.

Lyme Regis Town Council has made the reluctant decision after taking advice from the landowner and has informed the bus operator First.

The park and ride was expected to operate for two weeks over the Easter break but due to recent rainfall and with more anticipated, there is no realistic prospect of the situation improving sufficiently enough.

The plan is to launch the service for the May Bank Holiday weekend from 4 to 6 May and to open again for Whitsun week from 25 May to 2 June.

Deputy town clerk Mark Green said: “The situation is unfortunate, but we cannot risk damaging the site and rendering it unusable for most of the summer for the sake of an Easter opening.

“The risk of vehicles getting stuck within the site has also been taken into account.

“The landowner is considering the possibility of the gradual introduction of ground reinforcing ‘matting’ into the site, which may help reduce the risk of closure in future.

“We have been in close contact with Lyme Regis Business Group and gave them prior notice there was a chance the park and ride might not be able to operate. The group has been very understanding and appreciates the reasons for the delay.

“We ask anyone visiting Lyme Regis over the Easter break to park sensibly and legally in the town and where possible, use the designated car parks.”