OFF ROADERS have been churning up an area by Buckham Down picnic area – which has left a grieving family whose mother’s ashes are scattered there, distraught.

Margaret Eckersley died in November 2014 and the family scattered her ashes at the Buckham down picnic area, and planted some daffodil bulbs.

Her daughter Janet Mills said they were appalled when they came back to put flowers there.

She said: “When we came down to Dorset from Lincolnshire and we went to place some flowers at the picnic area we were very upset to find someone had totally devastated the area by driving 4x4s round and around churning up and wrecking the beautiful area.

“We found all of the daffodils had been driven over and crushed. What mindless and selfish individuals would do this?

“I know of two other families at least that have scattered ashes up in that area and I’m sure they won’t be happy either.”

The damage off roaders are doing has also upset residents in Broadwindsor who have once again enlisted the help of West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin.

County Councillor Rebecca Knox met with the Friends of Common Water Lane, local residents, landowners/farmers, DCC highways manager, county, district and parish councillors, representatives from Three Counties Bridleway riders, Monarch’s Way Association and Trail Riders Fellowship.

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Mr Letwin was due at the meeting on Friday before government business prevented him coming.

Before the meeting he said: “This is a real problem in several parts of West Dorset. We need to preserve our green lanes, which are a hugely significant part of our countryside.

“One can only imagine how distressing this must have been for a family in mourning.”

Mike Westwood, community highways manager at Dorset County Council, said: “We are aware of the damaged verge on Common Water Lane in Broadwindsor. The county council is responsible for maintaining right to pass, but we are not able to take any action against people damaging the flora in the area as we are unaware of the perpetrators' identity."

“We are working with the local group and landowners to see what can be done to improve the situation.”

In 2012, Friends of Common Water Lane, with the assistance of grant funding from Dorset AONB, Broadwindsor & District Parish Council and Wessex Water, had worked with land owners and DCC Highways to improve drainage and reinstate the wild flower habitat following damage to the south verge.

Between November 2015 and February this year, the same stretch of verge has once again been severely damaged by 4 x 4 vehicles, and this usually takes place at night under cover of darkness, say residents.

At Friday’s meeting it was decided to put in surveillance equipment and once offenders have been identified they will be interviewed by police.

Similar damage has been caused to other bridleways and green lanes (not open to motorised traffic) around Broadwindsor, Hursey, Burstock and other locations in the surrounding area.

At Friday’s meeting it was decided surveillance equipment should be put in.