A popular Pembrokeshire attraction will be closed this month to protect breeding seals and their pups.

The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy will be closed by the National Trust from Saturday, September 21 until the beginning of November.

Nearby Traeth Llyfn beach will also be closed for the same period.

The National Trust has said that these dates may be subject to change depending on the behaviour of the seal population.

Visitors will still be able to watch the seals and their pups in their habitat from the Wales Coast Path.

Anybody who comes across seals and their pups at other parts of the Pembrokeshire coast is asked to follow the Marine Code to avoid disturbing them at this very important time of year.

This involves staying quiet, keeping at least 50m away from seals and never coming between a seal and her pup, or a seal and the sea and keeping dogs away from seal breeding areas.

The Blue Lagoon is a popular spot with wild swimmers and coasteerers.

It sits just to the north of the Abereiddi and was formerly the main slate quarry of the St Brides Slate Company. It remained active up until 1910.

Slate that was extracted from Abereiddi was transported by tramway to the neighbouring Porthgain Harbour from where it was shipped out. The Blue Lagoon was formed when the channel connecting the quarry to the sea was blasted, allowing the sea to flood in.

Ruined quarry buildings still sit on the clifftop, with the remains of the workmen’s cottages adjacent to the car park, along what was called The Row or The Street.