United Utilities has thanked a man who raised the alarm over rubbish left behind on a green patch of land in Kendal.

Nearby resident Ian Robinson was horrified when he saw the rubbish-strewn site on land next to the town's Jubiliee Fields while walking his dog.

The area belongs to the water and electricity giant.

Mr Robinson said that travellers who had used the site were to blame, and had left behind food and nappies, as well as items like guttering and a sink.

"If we dumped things like that we would get taken to court it's a rule for them and a rule for everybody else," he said.

South Lakeland District Council environmental protection manager Mark Richardson said that travellers had used bolt croppers on the chains securing the gate at Mintsfeet estate to gain access to the land.

United Utilities was informed and asked SLDC if its direct works department would secure the gate and clean the area. The work was due to be done this week and paid for by the water company.

United Utilities spokesman Lee Watson said: "We try to make sure that areas like that are secure but if somebody is determined enough they are going to get in, and unfortunately sometimes that means they leave mess behind them.

"We thank the resident for bringing it to our attention and have arranged for the council to clear it up as quickly as possible at our expense."

Meanwhile, travellers on land near Devil's Bridge, in Kirkby Lonsdale, are causing consternation among members of Casterton Parish Council who reported that the visitors were already assembling for next month's Appleby Horse Fair.

They reported that there were litter and toilet problems every year and said that SLDC provided a skip for rubbish. They asked if it might also be possible for a portable toilet to be provided.

Mark Richardson, at SLDC, said he was due to inspect the site this week and that so far there had been no reports of criminal activity. He said he was not inclined to provide a portable toilet which could be vulnerable to vandalism. The public toilets at Devil's bridge were open.

Stuart Pate, of Cumbria County Council, which is responsible for the land which is a section of highway no longer in use, said there was no reason to move on the travellers. However, if residents had concerns about litter or noise they should report them. An inter-agency group was being set up to co-ordinate responses when travellers arrived.

l Appleby Horse Fair is shaping up to be extremely busy, according to the town's tourist information centre, where staff are now booking in guests as far away as Kirkby Stephen, Penrith and Ravenstonedale, and Tebay and the surrounding district.