A COUNCILLOR has spoken of her outrage at "sick people" advertising sexual depravity at an East Lancashire beauty spot.

Coun Jean Rigby said she was appalled that a website had recommended a car park at Entwistle Reservoir, near Darwen, as "a great place for couples who let you watch and join in."

The site is one of hundreds of locations, listed on a number of websites, used for "dogging" where exhibitionist couples have sex in or around cars and in front of strangers who are often invited to join in.

A spokesman for United Utilities which owns the site today said: "We are aware of this and have been liaising with police over this.

"It is a family area and we have to clean up after they have been there."

Inspector Graham Ashcroft, of Darwen police, said Entwistle Reservoir was a well known location for gay sex but that there had been no complaints to officers of "dogging".

He said: "It is a well known site for gay men to meet each other and we get sporadic complaints but not many.

"Some homosexual sex is illegal, it depends what it is and where and the effect on the public.

"Just to have sex in public is not an offence but prosecution can be brought under common law for outraging public decency.

"Officers in Darwen are aware of the area and we deal with any complaints that we receive."

Coun Jean Rigby, Blackburn with Darwen ward councillor for North Turton and Tockholes, said: "Entwistle Reservoir is an absolutely beautiful location for families to take their children out. It is also used by a lot of walkers including the elderly.

"I am appalled by these reports and condemn the use of this beautiful area for such illicit activities. Families should be able to visit Entwistle reservoir free in the knowledge that they will not stumble across these activities taking place.

"I cannot believe what is going on, it is totally sick.

"Previously we have had flashers and individual incidents but nothing as serious as this. Other problems included firing vehicles and drug abuse which the police take seriously.

"If people are made aware that this is a potential site it is a problem and we need to see how to address it. I cannot understand why these people want to do it.

"The council will be looking into these reports and liaising with our partners, such as the police and United Utilities, in order to identify any possible actions that will prevent further abuse of this area."