Part of a Winchester beauty spot, trashed by travellers, will be cleaned up, the city council has promised.

The Winnall Moors Nature Reserve, near Durngate Place, has become an eyesore to scores of dog-walkers, nature lovers and visitors.

A group of homeless people, who were camped illegally on the land, have left the area strewn with tents, old cans, clothing and other belongings.

A city council spokesman said: "We will be getting a clean-up squad up there and also securing the site by fencing."

As the Hampshire Chronicle reported in November, the site was also the scene of a raid where more than a dozen officers swooped on the camp, looking for drugs. But no illegal substances were found and there were no arrests.

At the time, there were four homeless people living at the camp, along with three dogs. They claimed they had been there for at least two months and said they were not causing a nuisance to anyone.

The news that the site will be tidied has been welcomed by those who use the nature reserve. Gilbert Yates (24), a chef at the Willow Tree pub, Durngate Terrace, said the moors was often used by walkers.

"It's not a nice way to end a walk," he said. Mr Yates added that the clean-up would be a relief to residents in Wales Street who could see the mess from their back gardens.