POLICE are taking action to stop vandals from spoiling a well-known North Yorkshire beauty spot.

The Druids Temple, a 19th Century folly, near Masham, is being used as a venue for raves, off-road motorcycling and 4x4 gatherings.

Gates have been pulled down, graffiti has been scrawled on the stones and picnic tables have been destroyed.

Most of the damage occurs after dark. Several years ago there were even suggestions the temple was being used for black magic rituals, although police say they have not seen evidence of this recently.

Michael Stanton, agent for the Swinton Estate which owns the temple, said: "It is a very attractive space to walk the dog or let the children run around in.

"It is very sad when we get a few people abusing it.

"We have to send people twice a week to clean up the rubbish."

Mr Stanton said the estate was working in partnership with police to tackle the problem.

"We are getting a lot of support from the police," he said.

"There was a group up there other night and a dog handler went and moved them on."

The temple, which is listed as an ancient monument, was built in the 1840s by William Danby, Lord of the Manor of Masham, to provide work for local unemployed people.

PC Gareth Jones, Ripon community beat officer, said although the site was not close to houses, there was still a problem with outdoor parties and illegal camping.

He said: "We have a good partnership with the gamekeepers on the estate.

"They are our eyes and ears and keep us informed of what's going on.

"We're monitoring the situation. I keep an eye on the area when I'm patrolling."

Eleven years ago, fears that the site was being used for sacrificial rituals where heightened when an estate worker found a pig's head at the temple.

It has been suggested in the past to put security barriers preventing entry at night, although estate bosses are eager not to restrict law-abiding members of the public from visiting the temple.