The peace at one of the district's best known beauty spots was shattered when furious day-trippers turned on youths blatantly ignoring foot and mouth restrictions.

Passers-by were outraged by a gang of youths who frolicked on Ilkley's famous Cow and Calf rocks on Saturday - ignoring cordons and warning signs telling them to keep off the moorland.

The flashpoint came at 4.30pm when a group of the teenagers wandered down to the ice cream hut in the car park and a member of the public challenged them.

Following a heated exchange the man, who declined to be named, said the youths were acting irresponsibly and should be fined for flouting the ban.

The man, who had been sunbathing with his wife on a grass verge outside the restricted area for two hours, said: ''I come from a farming community and these kids don't know the distress they're causing.

''We will never be free of foot and mouth if people don't take notice of the bans and traipse around spreading it everywhere.

''The police should come up here, catch them, and fine them for everything they can.''

He said he despaired after being met with a volley of abuse by one of the youths.

"Later a gang of older youth arrived and also stepped over the cordons to wander up the rocks on what was the hottest day of the year," he added.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Cons, Ilkley) said: ''It's a good job that the majority have shown a responsible attitude but I think it's terrible that these youngsters do not seem to understand or care about what could happen because of their stupidity.''