Fight over White Cliffs gates

Gates now prevent access to the White Cliffs at night

A businessman has started a campaign to stop Dover's famous White Cliffs being closed to the public at night.

The National Trust decided to limit public access to Langdon Cliffs because of litter, pornographic material and evidence of drug taking left at the site.

The gates, put up at the main entrance, are locked each night between 1700 GMT and 0730 GMT.

But businessman and life-long Dover resident David Ryeland has started a campaign to restore permanent access to the cliffs.

He said: "I visit the site possibly five or six times a week, sometimes twice a day, and it is there for people to enjoy.

We fought two world wars to keep our country free and the White Cliffs free David Ryeland, from Dover

"These cliffs and the views there are unique in the whole of England.

"It's one of the few places that people can observe shipping in such close quarters."

Mr Ryeland accused the National Trust of over-reacting to the problems at the cliffs.

"If there are other activities going on which they claim are of an unsavoury nature then I think that is a matter for the police and more action should be taken to stop it," he said.

A spokesman for the National Trust said the gates were the only way at present to stop the problems at Langdon Cliff.

He said rubbish left at the site - particularly drugs paraphernalia - had become a health and safety issue for staff.

The National Trust is in talks with Dover District Council to find a long-term solution to the problem.

Dover District Council said the move to lock the gates was regrettable but warranted by the seriousness of the problems.