A bizarre craze that involves performing sex acts in public places - which first hit the national headlines when a well-known footballer admitted taking part in the practice - is now believed to be widespread in Cornwall.

The phenomenon is known as "dogging" and often involves having sex in lay-bys - usually on the bonnets of cars - watched by complete strangers. It is being promoted on seedy internet sites which list places - including the Falmouth and Penryn area - where these sordid activities can be seen.

At least one community - at Grampound, near Truro - has expressed outrage via its parish council at the activities performed in a local lay-by.

A Packet search of the internet found dozens of web sites containing pornographic pictures of sex acts and listing lay-bys and car parks throughout Cornwall where they are said to take place.

One web site reports that the train station at The Dell in Falmouth is "great for gay dogging" and that "a good dogging place is still the Argal dam by Mabe."

Commenting on the Argal site, the web page says: "Though the gates are locked at 8 pm, you can park up and walk through side gates to use benches or fields. It has to be the best place around ..."

Full report in this week's Falmouth-Penryn Packet.