Vehicles have been damaging land at Hen Beck by driving over the grassed picnic area through the river to the nearby forest.

Believed to be 4x4 vehicles, they drive up onto the fell road and also use the beck area to drive through to clean their vehicles.

Helen Gilmour, clerk of Cleator Moor Town Council, said: “It is a potential hazard. It looks like they go over the grass, through the beck and out the other side.

“I had the ruts filled in and the road cleaned as there was mud everywhere, but then the same thing happened again.’’

She said she had contacted the police and various agencies, such as the Environmental Agency and the Forestry Commission, as well as the landowners about the damage.

“Pedestrians would not be expecting vehicles on the grassed area, when they should be on the road, so it could be very dangerous,’’ Mrs Gilmour said.

She said it was costing Cleator Moor Town Council money to fill in the ruts and the issue would be discussed at the next meeting.

Mrs Gilmour asked if anyone had any information about the vehicles to contact the police on 101.