A WEYMOUTH woman has launched a tirade of criticism against Dorset County Council for its 'softly softly' approach to travellers.

She urged the council to 'get tough' and force them out of the county.

She offered photographs showing smashed-up vehicles and piles of rubbish allegedly left by travellers at Hardy's Monument.

The photographs have come to light in the wake of claims by travellers in Weymouth that they lead environmentally-friendly lives.

The Dorset Echo has reported on a growing furore over travellers camping around Weymouth. Last week one group hit back at what it called 'unfair' and 'prejudiced' criticism.

But Marlaine Knapp, 53, of Weymouth, called travellers 'the scourge of our society' and said: "While these so-called environmentalists were camped at Hardy's Monument, about 20 vehicles were dismantled. Old tyres were left scattered around, windscreens were smashed and the glass was left lying where it fell.

"It was an absolute tip and when they were finally moved on they threw their rubbish bags on the road."

She continued: "When will the authorities wake up and realise it's us, Joe Soap, who pay their wages and we don't want these people cluttering-up our countryside?

"The non-confrontational, softly softly approach does not work. They are taking the council for a ride.

"Get tough. Move them on. We don't care who has them. Run them to the county border."

Mrs Knapp said the motto when travelling through the countryside should be 'leave only your footprints'.

"Now it seems they're the last thing to be left behind," she said. "The authorities must be partly to blame."

Mike Evans, spokesman for the council on gypsy and traveller issues, said the council followed Home Office guidelines and obeyed the Human Rights Act when dealing with travellers.

He said council workers had to clear up vehicles on the Hardy's Monument site after the travellers left.

"It's a balancing act," he said. "It's knowing that they have to be somewhere, but recognising that some sites are better than others and recognising that the public also have rights."

It is understood legal proceedings will begin if groups around Weymouth are not gone by September.