A Cumbrae-based councillor has fired a warning to visitors this summer that the island and its environment must be respected.

Conservative councillor Todd Ferguson says some incidents of vandalism have already been reported on the island, including burnt-out campfires left in a mess at a popular beauty spot.

He says that whilst the island and its residents cannot wait for the summer season to start, visitors must be warned that poor behaviour will not be tolerated.

Councillor Ferguson said: “As we are entering the summer peak season we welcome thousands upon thousands of fantastic tourists to the island.

“This includes camper vans and wild campers - although I am not sure how wild it can be considered on Cumbrae.

“The island loves welcoming people and it is what we are famous for, and although 99 per cent of people who visit are respectful, there are sadly some that are not.”

Councillor Ferguson has a clear message for visitors, and says police will be patrolling the island to make sure basic rules are enforced.

He explained: “Please don’t leave your mess behind. If you can bring it with you, then you can take it with you as well. 

“Don’t leave human waste at our beauty spots where people and animals can step in it. It has happened to me personally and it’s disgusting.

“Don’t hack down trees for your campfires around the island. We don’t have that many anyway, and you end up leaving a heck of a mess, which looks rubbish. 

“I’ll be asking the police to regularly patrol the whole island during the peak season to ensure that people are behaving themselves.”

Councillor Ferguson says that if visitors are not prepared to respect the island, then they should find somewhere else to go.

He added: “This is a beautiful part of the world to live in and visit, and it’s why you come here in the first place, so please respect it and leave it as you found it.

“If you can’t do that, then please go somewhere else because you’re not the type of visitor who deserves to visit our gorgeous part of the world

“As an island community, we always want to welcome tourists here to enjoy what we are lucky to experience every single day.

“All that we are asking is that those who do come to stay with us are respecting the island and treat it as if it were their own homes.”