RESIDENTS say action needs to be taken to stop young people camping out and littering an area of Bournemouth heathland.

Used condoms, glass bottles, cans, bedding and food packets were among the items dumped in woodland off Talbot Drive in Bournemouth, which backs on to Talbot Heath.

Neighbours say a gang have been camping there during the last few weekends and leaving a sea of litter behind.

Les Powell, who lives in nearby Julian Avenue, said: “It is supposed to be protected.

“There’s a sign saying ‘no camping, no fires’ but they had a bonfire going there.

“On Saturday night I saw fireworks going off. It is just irresponsible.

“They have a total disregard for the area.

“With all the heath fires we have had lately, it wouldn’t take much for the whole area to go up in flames.

“Someone should so something about it before it is too late.”

Mr Powell said he approached the gang at the weekend while walking his dog but was just abused.

Diane Manning, who was out walking her dog Murphy, said: “This has been the situation here for some time now.

“It’s really terrible. It must be the same people who keep doing it – it’s definitely not a one-off.

“I don’t know why people do it, especially lighting bonfires in the dry weather we have had.

“There is also a lot of broken glass around which is dangerous for people walking here.”

Barry Sparkes, street scene team manager at the Borough of Poole, said: “We are aware of the incident and have arranged for the debris to be removed from the site as soon as possible.

“Our woodlands are valuable assets and play an important role in residents' enjoyment of their local area.

“Isolated incidents such as this, bonfires and barbecues can cause damage to an area and detract from this enjoyment.

“Barbecues and fires should therefore only be lit in designated sites.”