A business owner has spoken out against holidaymakers who, she says, are using a car park as a campsite, saying the situation is becoming 'unbearable.'

Claire Moore of the Station Kitchen, West Bay, says motorhomes and caravans are filling up the Station Yard car park and visitors are using facilities provided by her business.

Claire, who runs the restaurant with husband Ross, is concerned the couple are footing the bill for holidaymakers.

"It’s so stressful – we have a car park full of caravans and people queueing up outside to use our tap in the mornings," said Claire. "We even had a call at 2am asking us to switch on the electricity so they could park up. It’s become a cheap caravan park where people can come and pay £2 to park and get free waste disposal and water. They are often spotted filling up large 25 litre containers, using our outside tap, filling up our bins with their rubbish and, more to the point, disposing of human waste from their holiday homes in the public facilities, causing the toilets to block and ruining it for others

"They pull up, roll their fake grass out, get the BBQ and washing lines out and are set for the week. We’ve even seen people park up close so that our customers can see people getting changed in their caravans or getting a shower.”

Claire said the problem appears to be worse this year than in previous years.

"The fly-tipping is a major issue," said Claire. "Our bins are constantly full from their rubbish. The water being taken from the tap is also an issue - we are on a pay meter. Last year we had about five or 10 caravans and this year it's the whole car park - as though word has got round. It's really stressful trying to run a business when you've got campers outside queuing up for water. There were 10 to 15 people waiting at one point.

"People need to see it as a car park, not a holiday site. It's not just us it's affecting, it's other business as well. Lots of locals have noticed what's happening too. Not only this, local campsites, which rely on tourism, are losing the business to the car park.

"I do hope someone will put a stop to these vans parking here as it's becoming unbearable.

Cllr Tony Alford, leader of West Dorset District Council, said:“The signage in the car park clearly states that although vehicles are welcome to use this car park, overnight sleeping is not permitted. Parking enforcement officers make night time visits and patrol on a regular basis.

“The council are reviewing the situation to explore additional measures that can be put in place to improve the situation.”