Condoms, sex toys and obscene activities at a county park have left nearby residents shocked.

Homeowners close to Borden Nature Reserve near Sittingbourne are calling for the instalment of lights and cameras at the locally named "dodgy hotspot".

A pink plastic phallus, used condom wrappers, alcohol cans and even empty talcum powder containers have been spotted in the woods.

The parish council is so concerned it is setting up an action group to tackle the problems which include motorbike racing, tree vandalism, illegal camps and drug-taking.

In a report Cllr Nicola Butlin said: "There were used condoms, various rubbish but also a child’s shoe and girls knickers.

"Two days later a pair of knickers were found again. These were passed to the PCSO."

The parish magazine states: "Motorbikes often race around the reserve endangering and disturbing wildlife.

"A dog and an elderly man were recently nearly knocked over.

"The reserve is used for loud parties and camps, lighting fires and barbecues leaving a great deal of litter behind including evidence of drug-taking and excessive alcoholic consumption.

"Trees and other flora and fauna have been vandalised.

"Obscene activities on the reserve include camps where the remains to be removed afterwards have included children's underwear, sex toys, used condoms, tents and sleeping bags."

Mum and nearby resident, Hannah Gilbert, was shocked to hear of the unusual activities taking place just yards from her home.

The 43-year-old, who has lived in the area since March, said: "I've never seen anything bad in the reserve or felt unsafe.

"There has never been any loitering really but the area is really dark and as a family with young children we don't go out late.

"We walk the family dog through the reserve and we use it as a short cut to the Borden village but we've never seen anything unsavoury.

"However, we do stick to the actual paths and make sure not to go off the beaten track.

"It has really shocked me to hear that this is going on, but there's nowt so queer as folk!"

The latest edition of the village's magazine stated that "obscene activities" had been taking place at the reserve.

The Friends of Borden Nature Reserve have urged villagers to report any dubious activities to the police and to take photos.

One man, who did not wish to be named, lives next to the area.

He said he hadn't been to the woods for the last two years as the last time he went he saw many of the silver gas cannisters that people use and inhale through balloons.

Dog walker Ken Perry, 71, said he also sees lots of the cannisters.

He said: "At the lay-by, near the gated entrance to the reserve, there are often young people smoking cannabis.

"However, there isn't much anti-social behaviour during the day."

Grandmother Jane Cavanagh has lived in the area for almost seven years.

The 54-year-old said the bad behaviour began around 15 months ago.

She explained: "I don't take my three-year-old grandson there.

"There are youngsters in cars doing drugs, it's not lit up and the are has also been used for dumping rubbish.

"It's become a dodgy hotspot and it's a shame as lots of elderly dog walkers used to go there.

"Cameras and lights need to be installed to prevent the illegal activities happening there."

The 6.25ha site, which boasts, badgers, foxes and the rare Fiery Clearwing moth, is owned by Kent County Council but leased by the parish council.

The former chalk quarry was used as a landfill tip from 1966 to 1982 before being capped in 1985 and returned to grassland. Its main entrance is in Cryalls Lane.

A spokesman for the Friends of Borden Nature Reserve said: "We are doing everything we can to tackle the ongoing anti-social behaviour taking place in the nature reserve.

"We regularly patrol along with police who are kept informed of any new intelligence.

"Photos of people riding motorbikes through the reserve are also passed to them .

"Once these people are identified the police will seize their bikes."

Kent Police was asked to comment.

Open air sex – or dogging as it is known – has been commonplace in the area in recent years with hotspots including woodland around Stockbury, Hucking and Detling.