A SEASIDE council is to clampdown on motor homes using its car parks at Whitby after complaints of late-night noise, dumped rubbish and seagulls feeding on waste food.

Lisa Dixon, director at Scarborough Borough Council, says in a report to members that the ban will cover parks at Whitby’s West Cliff, Church Street, Endeavour Wharf, Marina Front, and Pavilion area.

It follows previous, similar prohibitions at car parks in Scarborough and Filey.

She said: "Councillors, the public, harbour-users, officers have expressed concerns about the problem.

"This peaked over the Goth weekend last October when parks were full of motor homes and caravans for overnight camping.”

Mrs Dixon added that there had been protests to the council from users of the harbour who pay to use its facilities.

She said: “As a popular tourist destination there are a number of designated quality caravan and camping sites in the area which have facilities for motor homes.”

The proposal will go out for public consultation after the report has gone before the council’s cabinet committee.

Under the new regulations overnight parkers will be liable to a penalty charge.

In 2015 a similar clampdown on motor caravans parking overnight in Yorkshire Coast holiday areas was launched by North Yorkshire County Council following complaints by hoteliers and tourist industry leaders.

The council heard reports of chemical waste being emptied over cliffs and people defecating in public areas.