Four men have denied outraging public decency at a Norfolk coastal beauty spot.

Mark Godfrey, 54, and Steven Hunt, 32, both of Corbyn Shaw Road, King's Lynn, and Richard Hook, 50, and Daniel Smithson, 47, both of Alma Terrace, Norwich, have denied outraging public decency by taking part in sexual activity at Holkham, on August 2, last year.

Philip Farr, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said the men were spotted engaging in sexual activity behind a windbreak in the sand dunes by warden Andrew Bloomfield, who confronted them and warned he would be reporting the matter to police.

Mr Farr said the men did not deny what they were doing but said that they were not offending anyone as no one could see them.

Mr Farr told the jury: 'If this was a private act between consenting adults, there is no offence. The issue for you is whether this was a private act or whether the act was sufficiently public to amount to a criminal offence.

He added: 'If you are sure that these acts were capable of being seen by at least one other person in addition to the warden, then we say it becomes a public act and, by its nature, outrages public decency.'

He said the matter was nothing to do with sexual preferences.

Mr Bloomfield agreed the men had been co-operative and not tried to run off when he had phoned the police.

The trial continues.