Rough sleepers turn city park into tent town where some homeless people have been staying for the last six months

A city park has been overrun with tents where some homeless people have stayed for months - with some tents said to be pitched beside a graveyard.

The 171 acre park in Plymouth is filled with tents and plastic chairs, and locals are becoming concerned about the rising number.

While some were sympathetic to their plight, they said there are more appropriate places than near a cemetery or next to a footpath used by families.

One said 'the location is wrong' but empathised with the 'sad situation', calling on the council to do more.

Another asked: 'What are they actually doing wrong apart from keeping out of the wind and rain?'

But some warned that the situation is 'spiralling out of control' and it is becoming a 'tent city'.

One local of the seaside town slammed the tents as 'unsightly' and suggested it could devalue the house prices nearby if they are not moved.

Plymouth council said it is tackling a rising number of tents being pitched by homeless people.

A spokesperson said its Rough Sleeper team is 'working with the occupants to support them into more suitable, secure and safe accommodation'.

One person filmed tents by a wall beside the Ford Park cemetery.

Another found tents beside a footpath popular with dog walkers, where families could be overheard complaining about them.

It's not the first time Plymouth residents have had an issue.

Last year, residents complained that their manicured lawns were being overrun by people living in tents setting up washing lines and leaving litter everywhere.

Fuming locals said they could even hear shouting and fighting late at night.