New locations added to beach camping and fire bans

The council says new orders will preserve "the natural beauty and tranquillity" of Studland Beach

Camping is to be banned on a beach as part of extended measures to protect the environment and tackle antisocial behaviour.

The new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) means anyone camping on Studland Beach, Dorset, overnight can be fined up to £100.

Dorset Council said an order forbidding the lighting of fires and barbecues had been expanded to cover more areas of the county's heathland and forests in a bid to prevent wildfires.

A number of existing PSPOs, which last three years, have also been extended at other open spaces.

Dorset Council's website says the orders target "persistent antisocial behaviour that has a detrimental impact on others".

It says: "Issuing a fine is our last resort, where all other measures have not worked."

PSPOs that have been extended for a further three years include bans on drinking of alcohol in public places, aggressive begging and the feeding of gulls.

Health and housing councillor Gill Taylor said the two new orders would "help preserve the natural beauty and tranquillity of Studland Beach" and protect "rare heathland habitats, which are home to some of the UK's most endangered wildlife".

"These orders help us to deal with a small minority of people who can spoil it for others," she said.