PIONEERS campaigned for many years early in the 20th century for rights of access so that people could enjoy the countryside.

Picnickers and walkers could escape the dirt and grime of the industrial North West to enjoy fresh air and exercise on moors and woodland at weekends.

That hard-won freedom is now under threat, but not from farmers or other landowners who want the public removed.

Instead, adults are using beauty spots as meeting places for sordid sex sessions. Things have got so bad that today police, councillors, countryside rangers and those who look after such land like United Utilities are meeting to discuss what to do about it.

The worry is that families are avoiding certain public car parks for fear that they will stumble across couples meeting specifically to have sex - often deliberately in front of others.

This situation must not be allowed to continue.

Police have the power to take action against offenders for outraging public decency or indecent exposure.

They must exercise that power to drive these people out and reclaim the car parks for genuine visitors.

What consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes is their own business.

But when their antics stop others from enjoying East Lancashire's open spaces, they must be stopped.