A temporary radar scanner has been installed on the coast of Fairlight after the previous Channel surveillance radar – which had been in place for more than 20 years – stopped turning a few weeks ago.

It was installed on December 17 and handed over to the Coastguard a day later to ‘ensure the continuation of operational capability at this location’.

A spokesman for the Coastguard added: “The defective radar at Fairlight has been sent away for repair and will be re-installed early next year.”

The previous radar scanner stopped turning due to a technical issue.

The temporary replacement will ensure cover is maintained throughout the period of repair to the old radar and to ensure that operational capability ‘is not affected’.