ENVIRONMENTALISTS welcomed a belated Ministry of Defence plan to clear radioactive dust from a Scottish beach but warned that there was still work to do.

The plan to tackle radium contamination on Dalgety Bay in Fife involves removing particles from the beach, building a wall and slipway to prevent other radioactive material from reaching the area and replacing and extending “coastal rock armour.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said it was “great that the MoD have finally stopped denying responsibility and come up with a plan.”

But he cautioned: “This is not a complete solution because some radioactive waste will be left entombed on site.

“But it should finally put an end to the danger faced by humans and wildlife in what should be one of Scotland’s more attractive seaside spots.”

After nearly four years of campaigning by the local community, the MoD announced that work should start later this year subject to permission and is expected to be phased until 2018.

Local Labour MP and former prime minister Gordon Brown supported calls for the clean-up and said he believes the MoD will meet the cost of around £10 million.

Mr Brown called for “an accelerated timetable so we don’t have to wait another four years before the pollution is removed and we are satisfied that the risks have been dealt with.”

The radioactivity is thought to date back to instruments from around 800 second world war aircraft which were dumped at the beach.