The director of a Norfolk estate which manages one of the county's most picturesque harbours has hit out at boaters who dumped two lorry engines to make a mooring.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the engines dumped in the harbour at Burnham Overy Staithe.One of the engines dumped in the harbour at Burnham Overy Staithe. (Image: Archant)

The heavy engines - with their oil filters still attached - have been found in the creek at Burnham Overy Staithe.

David Horton-Fawkes, estates director on the Holkham Estate, said it was 'an ugly example' of the challenges of managing the harbour.

'There are long-standing problems with people abusing the moorings for personal gain and we are talking to the common rights holders and all harbour users to try and get control of a harbour that is now almost inaccessible,' said Mr Horton-Fawkes.

'All along the coast there are examples of individuals laying moorings, many of whom try and profit from them by selling them on to others, who don't realise or understand that the mooring is illegal.

'In this instance someone has deposited two large lorry engines with oil filters still attached, on the bottom of the creek - presumably intending to moor a boat in the middle of a fairway that is already overcrowded.

'There can be few more idyllic places along the North Norfolk coast than Burnham Overy and this and example of the worst sort of environmental vandalism and contempt for users of the harbour.'

The harbour at Burnham Overy, on the estuary of the River Burn, is a site of special scientific interest, part of a national nature reserve, and one the most environmentally important sites in the UK as well as a precious place for walkers, birders, sailors and swimmers.

It is common land owned by the estate and leased to a charity, which manages the harbour for the benefit of local people.