Sneaky travellers set up camp on sly
They beat high barricade installed at the seafront
Expensive security measures at a shore- front were overcome - when the main barrier was left open.
Three caravans and accompanying vehicles driven by travelling gypsies set up camp.
The brazen opportunity was snatched at Barassie foreshore on Sunday.
Watersports enthusiasts had opened the two- metre high height restriction to get their vehicles in.
And it was left open for a council vehicle.
But the unwelcome visitors shot in, sparking a legal bid at Ayr Sheriff Court to move them on.
Bizarrely South Ayrshire Council refused to lock- down the barrier again while the gypsies were inside.
That allowed other vans moved on to the grassy area designated for cars only.
The council has spent a fortune on security measures up and down the coast after breaches in Ayr and Maidens.
One resident said: “The bollards and barriers are quite unsightly, but they are supposed to do a job.
“We are very disappointed to see the caravans move right onto the seafront, without a care for the area.
“They always seem to wait until the legal process forces them out.”
South Ayrshire Council chief David Burns admitted the gate was opened.
He said: “There are barriers in place along Barassie shore to protect the environment from larger vehicles.
“One of the barriers was raised at the weekend to allow an event to take place and the travellers decided to enter the car park.
“We are in contact with the travellers as this is an inappropriate location for them and they will be required to move on.”