'CAVE SQUATTERS' HOLIDAY IN JÁVEA

holidays on Jávea seafront are becoming popular – albeit illegal – as dozens of tourists set up tents without permission on the clifftops.

Many did so at Easter and more have arrived in the last few weeks, and some even sleep in the caves.

Camp fires being lit are also causing concerns for local authorities, given the risk of an inferno, and some have left rubbish bags behind at the end of their stay.

Last August, three 20-somethings spent a month on 'holiday' in the Els Testos cave on the border with Benitachell, which can only be reached by abseiling down to it, and the El Moraig cave, plus the one between Jávea's Ambolo bay and the Cabo de la Nao have also become unofficial camping sites for young sunseekers.

The latter was occupied for several months.

And at Easter, the Tallada cave on the Dénia-Jávea border was left filled with rubbish sacks and remains of bonfires.

This month, tents have been set up on the Sardinera bay in Jávea, which is only reached by a cliff path.

Although coastal caves used to be used by fishermen overnight, camping – or squatting – in them is not permitted, Jávea council says.

But the financial crisis means holidaymakers are constantly seeking to save money, and sleeping in a cave or setting up a tent means they get their accommodation free.