A group of leading holiday spots on the Yorkshire coast are set to be outlawed as wild camping areas due to growing worries of fire risk.

The move by North Yorkshire Council, is targeting some of the mot popular and historic areas at Scarborough including Royal Albert Park, Castle Park, South Cliff and Italian Gardens, Peasholm Park, Scalby Beck and Museum Gardens, while at Whitby the resort’s Pannett Park and Whitby Abbey grounds have been highlighted in a report by the authority.

Officers say there has been a rise in the volume of unauthorised camping at the beauty spots which attract thousands of tourists every year.

Fires, barbecues, extensive littering, dumping of food waste, and even use of the areas as toilets has resulted in complaints from the public, council officers said in a report.

placeholder image — Peasholm Park in Scarborough

The report adds: “These areas are noted as key holiday attractions for visitors but we have seen them hit by wild campers.”

Now, a public consultation has been launched and if the outcome favours action, the areas will be given the status of having Public Space Protection Orders, and anyone violating them could be fined between £100 and £1,000, said Coun Richard Foster, the authority’s executive member for the environment.