Volunteers have been left shocked and saddened after 'disrespectful' beachgoers used an RNLI lifeboat station as a toilet.

Crews at the Littlestone station, on Romney Marsh, today found human faeces and urine surrounding the building, as well as dirty tissues.

People had peed behind bins, up against the shop and in the entrance used by crews in an emergency call.

Faeces had also been left covering a piece of metal attached to a trailer used by the volunteers.

The team had to spend time cleaning up the waste in order to make the area safe.

They also had to remind others not to urinate on the station buildings.

In a Facebook post, the crew lambasted the behaviour: "We all enjoy a day at the beach.

"Unfortunately some of the beachgoers have today used our station as a toilet. Crew had to remove faeces and wash urine away to make it safe and clean.

"We are shocked by this behaviour and saddened by the disrespect shown."

Nearly 300 people have reacted to the post.

But it wasn't just people using the station as a toilet, there were other issues along the coastline including inconsiderate parking and littering.

Matt Crittenden, operations manager at Littlestone RNLI, said: "The beach today was beyond anything I've ever seen.

"And it wasn't local people. There was one big group who were on their third barbecue.

"I've had members of the lifeboat crew who could not get on a shout because the roads were blocked.

"If someone was desperate we would probably let them use the loo.

"There are two close by, one is a quarter of a mile away the other is less. But instead people went behind our bins and up against the shop.

"I don't like to moan; I know people have been locked away for months but it is the total disregard.

"All the people on the beach would call on us if they needed help, but at same time want us to clear their poo and wee away."

Iain Bates, one of the helmsmen at the station, who has lived in Littlestone for 10 years, said it showed how disrespectful beachgoers had been today.

He added: "It's not just what has been highlighted at our lifeboat station, but with the irresponsible parking, leaving litter etc etc, the usual stuff - but today has been the worst we have ever seen."

A lifelong resident of Littlestone, who did not want to be named, added: "As a local resident, the amount of traffic is putting locals at an increased risk.

"The amount of litter, lack of social distancing and the queues for local shops.

"The RNLI and coastguard are a vital emergency service on the coast.

"To relieve yourself against the lifeboat station is careless and dangerous act.

"Volunteer crew had to clean that up. Very little consideration for others and it is a brainless and foolish act."

It comes as there were 18-mile long queues reported on the M2 this afternoon and long delays to get to the beach.

There were also shocking scenes in Margate, where pictures showed thousands of people on the sand.

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh