BURLY security guards dressed in black are said to have driven swimmers away from a popular Tynedale beauty spot on the hottest day of the year.

Locals enjoying temperatures of up to 30 degrees on the banks of the Tyne at Waters Meet, near Warden, have spoken out after witnessing what has been described as a “mean-spirited” eviction of visitors on July 19.

One Hexham woman told the Courant : “What’s with the ‘security service’, the black garb, the chasing of half naked members of the public off, souring a rare, hot, carefree afternoon?”

A spokeswoman for Hexham’s Egger factory, which owns the land, said it was a prime fishing spot.

“The decision was taken to bring in a private security firm because there have been problems with trespassing, vandalism and rubbish being dumped,” she said.

“We want people to continue to enjoy the area, but not to the detriment of those who have paid to fish.”

On the day in question, a group of males are said to have become aggressive after being asked to move on because they were disturbing fishermen.