Youths reported 'tombstoning' off Thomason Foss waterfalls in the North York Moors

A clearway has been set up in Goathland to prevent roadside parking today | ugc

A large number of youths have gathered at Thomason Foss waterfalls in the North York Moors National Park today.

Young people have been seen 'tombstoning' - jumping off the falls into the pool below - at the beauty spot near Goathland today, drinking and partying.

The large gathering comes after youths aged 17-25 congregated at the waterfalls over the Bank Holiday weekend and left a trail of destruction behind them.

Large amounts of litter including nappies and soiled underwear were left behind, human faeces was found in a bus stop, drivers ignored closure barriers to enter the car park and the community hub's disabled toilets were broken into.

The area is busy again today and the North York Moors National Park Authority warned drivers not to park on verges or in villages after the nearby Sheepwash car park reached capacity.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service fire prevention officer Rose Fearnley said: "Unfortunately it seems like the local cows are more interested in water safety than the huge groups of people partying at Thomason Foss today. Reports of tombstoning off the top of the waterfall. Parking making access harder if an accident does happen. Not ideal."

A clearway is in operation in the area and drivers who park on the roadside are liable to be fined.

Similar large gatherings have been reported at other picturesque countryside locations today including Richmond Falls, Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the River Wharfe in Ilkley and Cod Beck Reservoir near Northallerton. They mainly involve youths who have congregated to drink, use disposable barbecues and swim.

Fires caused by unattended barbecues have broken out at both Cod Beck and Digley Reservoir near Holmfirth, which are both owned by Yorkshire Water.

There have been significant issues with illegal and inconsiderate parking, with fines handed out in the Dales and in Ilkley, where police have closed a road near the river for public safety reasons. Large amounts of litter were discarded at Burnsall, Ilkley and Goit Stock Waterfall near Bingley by drinkers.