A council has defended itself after being criticised for failing to clear abandoned cars and rubbish.

The condition of Kingstanding Hill, near Wallingford, was condemned by Ramblers' Association member Robert Wakefield after he led a walk over the Ridgeway from Moulsford.

He said: "A small section of the walk passed through a rural disgrace of abandoned cars and discarded rubbish."

South Oxfordshire District Council is responsible for clearing up the area.

Gina Coupar, head of public amenities, said most of the problem was caused by travellers, who had made the site into a rubbish tip, and the rest was caused by people abandoning cars there.

Mrs Coupar said: "I understand and sympathise with people's concern. We do what we can.

"There are travellers there at the moment and we will not clear up until they go. We do not send people in to clear up beforehand because they get intimidated and several visits can prove very costly.

"Abandoned cars are a huge problem. The deeply rutted tracks up to Kingstanding Hill means we have to get local farmers or 4x4 owners to drag them to the main road.

"Last Tuesday there were three there. We removed two immediately and went back for the third later.

"A couple of hours afterwards there were three more to be dealt with. It seems a never-ending problem.

"The cars cost us -- the council tax payers of south Oxfordshire -- £25 a time to get rid of. We have to deal with about 1,000 abandoned vehicles a year."

Mrs Coupar said the council had a collection service for old vehicles, costing £25.

She said: "Fortunately, more and more responsible people are dealing directly with us instead of dumping their vehicles in the countryside."