A group representing motorhome owners has jumped to the defence of a municipal district authority threatened with legal action after developing a parking site for camper vans.

Ireland remains out of touch with other European states when it comes to providing parking or other facilities for an increasing number of campervans or motorhomes.

A local authority is seeking to ban motor homes and camper vans from parking overnight in non-designated public areas.

Campsite owners concede they are having their best July in 30 years as families haul dusty tents out of the shed and maximise their time outdoors in the good weather.

MOTORHOME owners across the country have defended their lifestyle in the face of criticism from camping site owners who accused them of littering the countryside.