THE councillor campaigning for a return to old fashioned picnics at a favourite beauty spot has suggested CCTV to shame the litter louts.

Graham Sheldon received wide spread support on social media after he urged visitors to take flasks and sandwiches to Dovestone Reservoir instead of barbecues.

But, as the picture shows, renegade visitors are still ignoring the Peak District Park’s ban and setting fires.

The young visitor who took the picture said: “You could smell the cooking yards away. It’s crazy.

“The boys didn’t seem bothered ...I reported them to one of the Dovestone Marshals.”

Cllr Sheldon, who serves on Oldham and Saddleworth Parish Councils, said: “Where there are incidents in what is becoming a regular problem, we have the technology to combat such antisocial and reckless behaviour.

“I would suggest we install cameras in as many spots as we can to tackle these problems.”

He said among the real issues at Dovestone, setting a barbecue in an area surrounded by parched grass is a priority.

And he said groups are meeting and trading in illegal drugs and taking large amounts of alcohol and leaving the containers.

He went on: “Again people are reminded to take all their rubbish home. This is a general code which everybody should adhere to in a public place.

“Educating children from an early age is a good start to enjoying and respecting the countryside. For those who cannot respect the outdoors we must act now.

“CCTV cameras would act as initially as deterrent, but they could also be used as evidence for the police if they wished to pursue any offenders.

“Perhaps the marshals could be fitted with body cams with the footage used as evidence of any problems.

“This would also increase the safety of individuals or women who have reported they have felt vulnerable in this sometimes isolated area.”

He added: “We are glad so many people choose to visit Dovestone — long may this continue.

“And I suggest people should get out the old picnic hamper and rug, eat and drink in the beautiful countryside, and then pack up all their leftovers and take them home in the hamper.

“Everybody needs to keep the countryside clean, and then it will be clean the next time we visit.”

Meanwhile visitors criticised warning signs. “They are too random,” said one.

“Some are old and scuffed and the hand-written warnings are just ignored. And there needs to be a rethink about the whole signage issue.

“At times of high fire risk do not use barbecues; notices will be displayed at these times.”

A statement from the National Parks UK has issued the following advice relating to barbecues: “If landowner permission has been given, you must always site your barbeque low to the ground, ideally on a rocky area with as little vegetation as possible. Do not sit a barbeque directly onto vegetation.

“Do not use accelerants (such as paraffin) to reduce the risk of splashing in surrounding areas.

“Never leave a lit barbeque unattended.

“Avoid overhanging trees, leaves or wood close by to your barbeque.

“Have a supply of water to hand for emergencies.

“After use, ensure your barbeque is fully extinguished and cold, with no burning embers

“Take all charcoal, litter etc away with you and do not discard it on site.

A few seconds of consideration could stop an incident putting firefighters, National Park rangers, volunteers and other support teams at risk. Not to mention irreparable harm to the wildlife of the Peak District National Park moorlands.

Fires of any kind should not be started in moorland areas, regardless of the time of year.