Overview
- Footage and photos show at least 20 cars including Mercedes, Jaguars and BMWs coated in suspected cow slurry after being left on a private grazing field near Rydal Water during a bank-holiday heatwave.
- Cumbria Police said they were made aware of reports late on 25 May and that neighbourhood teams are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
- Witnesses and video recorders report 'Polite Notice - DO NOT PARK IN THE FIELD' signs at the entrance and say rocks placed to block access had been moved before vehicles entered the field.
- A man identified in several reports as the farmer involved has told media he discharged slurry over cars on his own land and defended the action as a response to repeated trespass, while many social media users have expressed support for him.
- Local outlets and police say illegal parking and littering at Lake District beauty spots is a long-standing problem that can endanger livestock and block emergency access, and the incident could prompt further local enforcement or guidance on visitor parking.