AMONG the traditional images of children eating sticks of rock and grandmas sunning themselves in deckchairs, the thought of seaside donkeys wearing huge nappies does not sit well.

But that was the suggestion brought up at a meeting by the leader of Scarborough Borough Council, Eileen Bosomworth, to keep the North Yorkshire resort's beaches clean.

Coun Bosomworth told fellow members that donkeys wore nappies in some Spanish resorts, which kept the streets and beaches pristine.

She added that such a policy could be introduced in Scarborough to help to keep the beaches clean.

Her remarks came during a discussion of a report into new by-laws that aim to improve the standard of the beaches along the Yorkshire coast.

The laws are designed to curb anti-social behaviour, and make beaches quieter and safer by stopping gangs playing football, horses being trained during the holiday season and people playing CDs.

Last night, Coun Bosomworth said: "I remember being in Spain and some of the donkeys there were wearing a kind of harness so that their droppings fell in it rather than on to the streets.

"That is what I was talking about. It is just part of making our beaches more family friendly.

"It was a bit of a joke and it lightened the atmosphere in the council chamber."

The authority's Press office said there were no plans to introduce the nappies.

"We do not need to introduce anything like this because there are already rules in place for the donkey operators to pick up after the donkeys," said a spokesman.