Visitors to beauty spot near Wigan are causing traffic hazards and damaging wildlife

A car ticketed by police on the main road outside Fairy Glen

Fairy Glen at Appley Bridge has been so overrun with folk during the latest warm spell that vehicles have been causing traffic hazards on busy Hall Lane.

And the sheer volume of visitors is also threatening to damage wildlife in the wooded valley with officers advising people to look elsewhere for a nice walk if they see it is already overpopulated.

The authorities closed Fairy Glen to the public during the peak of the pandemic but, since reopening, concerns have been raised about its ability to host so many people at safe distances.

A spokesman for Ormskirk and West Lancashire Police said: "Once again officers are having to issue tickets to vehicles like this, completely blocking the footpaths at Fairy Glen.

"As well as forcing pedestrians into the national speed limit road and making it very dangerous to cross, they are damaging the grass verges.

"The volume of people attending Fairy Glen is making social distancing impossible so walkers are leaving the footpaths and trampling the wild flowers.

"When you attend, if there is nowhere to park without blocking footpaths it is a clear sign the Glen is full and you should consider walking somewhere else.

"We are blessed with many lovely walks in West Lancashire, let's not ruin this one."