Frustrated farmers have resorted to spreading a thick layer of animal faeces around an infamous beauty spot, in an attempt to deter tourists from visiting.
The Hoffman Quarry, also known as the Blue Lagoon, in Buxton, Derbyshire, had become a popular destination for tourists during the coronavirus lockdown, despite clear warnings over the dangerous toxicity of the water and the land being privately owned.
After a series of failed attempts to prevent visitors from flocking to the site, which recently saw the High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue pour black vegetable dye into the bright blue pond, farmers took action in to their own hands by dropping a pungent layer of cow and pig dung around the parameter.
Renaming the area ‘Poo Lagoon’ on a local Facebook Page, the post said: “Action has been taken after a huge amount of visitors trespassing and travelling from all over the country to see the quarry, also an allegedly illegal rave was planned for this weekend.
"And with locals receiving abuse and continued drug use, and visitors also leaving huge amounts of litter [we] have had enough. Welcome to the Poo Lagoon.”
It comes amid recent reports of an increase in ‘irresponsible’ behaviour by those visiting the countryside during the pandemic, which has seen a spike in wildfires due to an increase in abandoned barbeques, alongside a rise in littering.
Long-term
Councillor Linda Grooby, from High Peak Borough Council, told BBC Radio Derby: "It is not going to damage the environment but hopefully it will act as a bit of a deterrent.
"In the long-term, we are going to have to move forward with doing something like fencing because we cannot let the problem continue like this - both for the public’s safety and for the residents."