A DAD has taken his children on a camping holiday only a 10 minute walk from their home.

Andy McNeillie, 30, of Doonfoot has opted to spend three weeks at the Costa Del Greenan coast — just less than half a mile from his house.

There are about seven groups of happy campers with 15 children who have converted Greenan shore into their own version of Benidorm for the school holidays.

Andy, who lives next to the Doonfoot Co-op, said: “I can’t afford to take my family away on holiday on a plane to Spain — this is the next best thing. The scenery is brilliant — what more can you ask for? Sometimes it gets a bit breezy — we are having a bit of an Indian summer this year”.

But some dog walkers who cut through the tents have been expressing their disapproval of their alternative package deal.

South Ayrshire Council took legal action against them last year but they have not faced any raps this season so far.

Father-of-three Andy said: “Last year we were dragged through the courts. We never harm anybody - we never will - and we tidy up after ourselves. We put up windbreaks to get a bit of privacy and to act as boundaries.

“All the families get on. We toast marshmallows at night and the view is fantastic.

“The youngsters absolutely love it.” His partner’s mother Frances Malcolmson, 62, has been putting up her tent at the beauty spot for at least two decades.

The greatgrandmother, of Dalmilling, Ayr said: “We have done this for years and now my daughter brings her family here. It is all about creating memories for the summer. I go about collecting litter and I have to lift the dog poo as it is a danger to my grandchildren.

“There are two sides to every story. I have even had folk from France asking: ‘who is Francis’ and and have had bongo drum sessions going on at night.” A mum who didn’t want to be named said: “It is better than letting my kids play in the streets. I am just continuing how I was brought up.”