Owners of quad bikes and off-road vehicles have been warned following reports of damage being caused to a local beauty spot.

Brown Edge Parish Council condemned "destructive activity" taking place at Marshes Hill Common in a post today (Friday).

The council says land at the common has been churned up, which causes damage to the area's "fragile ecology".

The council has now warned that the police have been informed of the damage, and asked anyone who witnesses damage being caused to the area to contact the authority.

Biddulph Nub News reported in September how Staffordshire Moorlands District Council also condemned cyclists and motor bikers for riding on the local Site of Biological Importance.

Marshes Hill Common in Brown Edge has been declared a Site of Biological Importance because of its wildlife, including heathland birds such as linnets and the green hairstreak butterfly, and plants including heather, gorse and bilberry.

A Brown Edge Parish Council spokesperson said today: "Destructive activity has occurred in January 2021 on Marshes Hill in Brown Edge.

"Reports have come in to Brown Edge Parish Council of Quad bikes and Off-Road vehicles using the land for entertainment during this really wet spell of weather.

"They have been churning up and destroying the grassland which damages the fragile ecology of the landscape.

"The reports have been passed on to the Environmental Officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council who have stated: 'People are allowed to access any part of Marshes Hill Common for fresh air and exercise on foot' (under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000).

They continued: "The PCSO's have also been informed and are keeping a watch for the offending vehicles.

"Please be advised that it is an offense to use Off Road Vehicles on a Country Park as it is a site of Specific Scientific Interest and an area of outstanding Natural Beauty.

"If anyone sees activity of this sort please report immediately to Staffordshire Police on their Facebook page and also report to [email protected] or contact one of your Local Parish Councillors.

"Please help stop people who may be unaware of the Law and are spoiling the local landscape!"