LAST-ditch efforts were today being made to try to save a café hanging precariously over Felixstowe's disappearing beach - as the desperate search for a new site for the building continued.

LAST-ditch efforts were today being made to try to save a café hanging precariously over Felixstowe's disappearing beach - as the desperate search for a new site for the building continued.

Demolition work was scheduled to start tomorrow , but the owner Andy Mexome is refusing to remove it until there have been further talks with council chiefs.

Workers have begun removing tables, chairs and kitchen equipment from the Shore Break café ready for it to be taken apart to allow emergency work to protect the sea wall and prom.

Council chiefs said they were still looking at the possibility of an alternative site for the café, even though time was running short and no agreement had been reached on any land.

Mr Mexome has taken legal advice over the instruction issued by Suffolk Coastal council to remove the hut from the shore by tomorrow .

He is considering seeking an injunction to protect his property, in which he has invested £60,000 over the past five years in improvements and safety work to protect it from the sea.

Another issue being considered by the lawyers is the possibility of compensation for Mr Mexome and Steve and Suzanne Bloomfield, who ran the business.

Mr Mexome said: “We have raised a number of points and questions with the council over ownership rights as to what they can and cannot do.

“I am not at all sure they can give seven days' notice to demolish the café and expect me to do it at my own expense. There needs to be some sensible conversations taking place and we all need to get round a table and air this thing properly before anything further happens.”

Deputy leader of Suffolk Coastal, Andy Smith said the council had done everything it could to help the café owners and was still looking at alternative sites.

However, moving the building could be the main problem. Advice had been sought from a number of contractors, including the company which moved the Beachy Head lighthouse back from the edge of the cliffs, and estimates ranged from £50,000 to £100,000 for such work.

Mr Smith said council officials were willing to meet and talk to Mr Mexome and the Bloomfields today about the situation.

Do you think the café should be demolished? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk