A FAMILY'S once idyllic woodland home has turned into a nightmare because of people using the beauty spot for 'dogging' — strangers meeting in their cars for sex.

Pam and Colin Burrow have lived in Melin Llan Cottage, Penllergaer, for the past 44 years and said they were plagued daily by dozens of doggers using the nearby car park and the woods for sex acts.

One dogging website describes the area — just off junction 47 of the M4 — as a "hot bed for it day and night".

Mrs Burrow, 71, said: "It's changed a lot since we moved here in 1966 when hardly anyone came down. Now our lives are miserable.

"It used to be just children coming down to the forest for a swim, but their parents wouldn't let them now.

"This started around two-and-a-half years ago. Now, I must see around 50 to 60 cars a day using the lane and it's just not built for that use. The roads and the banks are being eroded. Plus, they are so reckless and they don't give way. There's going to be an accident in the lane any day now.

"I have so many arguments with these people about this."

Mr and Mrs Burrow said signs had been put up warning people not to have sex in the car park of the woods, but they had been torn down.

The couple's daughter Gail Yandell said: "It's absolutely diabolical and it's awfully intimidating. It's mainly men using the area — it's a very rare occasion that you see a woman.

"I've only seen them at the top of the lane because we don't go down to the car park anymore. The number of times I've been flashed by a man, it's terrible and my mum has seen men drop their trousers. Something has to be done. They are in the cars with each other or they just appear out of bushes.

"Families don't want to go there anymore. I have grandchildren and I don't want them seeing people doing it in a car. We call the police and they say they will monitor it, but what can they do. It happens all day — they can't be up here that long."

Mrs Yandell said they would like the Forestry Commission to close off the lane 24 hours a day, instead of overnight, which it currently was.

A spokesman for the commission said: "Forestry Commission Wales works closely with the police to counter anti-social behaviour on the land that we manage.

"On many of our sites we are fortunate to receive the co-operation of local people who assist us by opening and closing barriers to popular areas. Also in South Wales, we are able to follow up any specific complaints we receive as we have a police sergeant seconded to the district as a forest crime officer."

Mr and Mrs Burrow and their family said they were continually contacting South Wales Police about the matter, who said they would monitor the area.

Acting Chief Inspector Kath Larkman said: "We are fully aware of the situation and officers pay regular attention in the vicinity of Penllergear woods to discourage any illegal or anti-social activity. We would encourage any members of the public who have information to come forward."

helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk