A MOTORHOME enthusiast’s wish to have a dedicated area for overnight campers in Budleigh Salterton has received support from scores of East Devon residents.

David Burley, 43, of Moormead, founder of the largest online motorhome club in Europe, wants Lime Kiln car park to have a special area for campers in a bid to encourage off-season visitors to the town.

He believes the town is not properly utilising the car park.

Christine Evans, from Exmouth, agrees with Mr Burley that there should be an area dedicated for overnight campers.

“We wholeheartedly support the campaign for parking spaces at Budleigh Salterton.

“There is not enough of these facilities for motorhomes locally, indeed nationally. It is about time this was rectified.”

Linda Hoe, from Exmouth, added: “I agree that facilities should be made for campers in the Lime Kiln car park.

“Also, something should be done in Exmouth – there is getting an epidemic of long-term campers along the seafront at the Orcombe Point end.

“Many overhang the pavements with the back-end of their vans which have big boxes and bicycles discharging waste water. It gives genuine campers a bad name.”

Mr Burley has hit back at the town council welcoming seafront parking meters to deter motorhome parking - saying Budleigh should be encouraging off-season visitors to the town, not driving them away.

He said the council’s claims were unfounded that seafront motorhome parking was on the increase.

Mr Burley said Marine Parade was in the main a motorhome-free zone and the ‘animosity’ felt in the town towards was unfounded.

Mr Burley said: “With such a good facility for motorhome owners as Lime Kilm car park going to waste, we should be looking at a way of monetizing motorhome visits instead of spending out capital in times of cutbacks to try and curtail them coming to Budleigh.

“We should be inviting motorhome owners into our community by providing some additional facilities on Lime Kiln Car park, which would over time recoup their investment and provide much needed off season visitors to the town.”