PEOPLE using drugs, drinking alcohol, littering and carrying out anti-social behaviour are blighting a much-loved Bolton beauty spot.

The Horrocks Wood car park, in Scout Road, Smithills, is a popular spot for dog walkers and ramblers and also offers stunning views of the borough.

The site has now become notorious for groups of people gathering to take drugs, eat fast food and drink alcohol.

There has been problems reported at the site as far back as 2013 but things have got worse over the past 12 months.

The Forestry Commission is responsible for the land and last year halved the size of the car park to try and tackle the problems but it has now been reinstated to its original size.

Peter Hill lives nearby and likes to use the site but fears it is being ruined by the behaviour of some.

Mr Hill, aged 57, lives in Eden Street in Astley Bridge and has taken pictures of large amounts of litter at the site, including alcohol bottles, dumped waste and needles.

He said: “It gets really bad. There is a massive amount of cannabis smoking.The litter is unbelievable.

“They are picking up their fast food and taking it up there.

“It is a cracking spot. I like to walk around there. The dog walkers love it. It is a good site.”

Mr Hill wants more bins put in place and has also offered to have a key to lock the gate to the car park at night.

He thinks the location of a blue bin at the back of the car park is wrong and some people rather don’t see it or don’t know it is there for them to use.

As well as the problems with anti-social behaviour featuring youths drinking and leaving fast food rubbish, there has also been complaints of people using the site for dogging.

As well as Forestry Commission staff clearing rubbish, volunteers from the community have also started carrying out litter picks.

A spokesman for the Forestry Commission said: “We want as many people as possible to visit and enjoy Horrocks Wood so decided to reopen the rest of the car park.

“The increase in litter and other anti-social behaviour is very disappointing. We have contractors doing weekly litter picks and have joined forces with the volunteer group ‘The litter pickers of North Bolton’.

“We are still working with local authorities and the police who we urge people to contact by calling 101 if they have information that could help catch these people spoiling this local woodland.”