"Anger" is growing in a village over the state of an iconic Isle of Wight beauty spot, as a legal battle to find a solution rumbles on.

Residents and councillors say land at St Helens Duver has been left looking like a 'bombsite'.

Duver Enterprises, which leases the area from the Isle of Wight Council, has said it intends to renew the lease and install luxury lodges, "in keeping with an upgrade to the area".

Director, Andrew Palmer, told the County Press that remedial work to clear the site is at, or nearing completion.

The land had homed caravans but they fell into disrepair and were subject to vandalism.

Some have now been taken away, but material has been left behind and a councillor says there are environmental concerns and it looks "an absolute mess".

Isle of Wight County Press: Cllr Bacon in front of the former train carriages turned beach huts at St Helens Duver.Cllr Bacon in front of the former train carriages turned beach huts at St Helens Duver. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Isle of Wight County Press: The 'bombsite' at St Helens Duver.The 'bombsite' at St Helens Duver. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Duver Enterprises also leases the former train carriages further along the seafront, which are used as beach huts.

Chair of St Helens Parish Council, Cllr Jonathan Bacon, said attempts have previously been made by the IW Council to recover both the land and the carriages.

But, he said, the most likely solution going forward will be a new lease with stricter requirements to maintain the site.

He told the County Press: "Local people are incredibly upset at the state of the area where the caravans and the train carriages were.

"This is an amazing site and people love coming down here but they hate the sight of what's going on here."

Isle of Wight County Press: The former train carriages.The former train carriages. (Image: IWCP)

At a packed out St Helens Parish Council meeting on March 11, Cllr Bacon said villagers expressed their "anger" and called for action.

Mr Palmer said there have been "some unfortunate delays of a technical legal nature" but is hopeful they will be resolved.

He said: "We are currently replacing the doors on the railway carriages to make them secure and dismantling and removing the caravans.

"We are considering installing video cameras to help the police identify the perpetrators."

A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said: “Due to this being a legal matter, we are unable to comment."