A COUNCILLOR has hit out after an area in his ward was named as a site for dogging.

Bill McEwan said he did not want the practice to be happening after an area was named by an adult website as a popular spot.

Dogging - sexual activity in public or watching others engage in the activity in public - is not illegal under a specific law in the UK, but people who get caught can be charged with public lewdness and indecent exposure.

Among the sites mentioned on the website is a car park near the Cocken Tunnel in the Ormsgill area of Barrow.

The website also picked out several sites on the Coast Road between Ulverston and Barrow as ‘nice, quiet places’.

“The best time is after dark as the daytime is busy with visitors,” the description said.

It also named a layby off the A590 near Greenodd, warning people to ‘keep an eye out for nosey police during the day’.

Ormsgill councillor Bill McEwan said he discouraged anyone from partaking in the practice and warned that children or other members could encounter it.

“Stuff like that is personal,” he said.

“I don’t think it should be happening in public.

“It’s not a practice I would encourage people to take up.

“I think they should more discreet.

“It’s gross - we don’t want it happening.”

According to data provided by Cumbria Police, four people were caught committing an act outraging public decency in the last five years, a common offence for such practice.