The often chilly Cumbrian climate might not be naturally suited to it.

But the rainy nature of the county has failed to dampen the ardour of some outdoors enthusiasts - as police files reveal.

Officers have been called to a number of complaints about outdoors sex - or dogging - across the county.

Carlisle, Kendal and Wigton all feature on the list of places receiving the attentions of officers following concerns about public decency.

It's unclear if these locations are the subject of regular rendezvous.

But the issue has been enough of a problem in the last year to prompt the closure of one set of toilets - and spark complaints over unsavoury activities at a leafy beauty spot.

A Freedom of Information request to Cumbria Police reveals officers have been called to Southwaite, near Carlisle, and Carleton, on the edge of the city, following concerns about outdoors sex.

A countryside area at Rosley, near Wigton, and Staveley, near Kendal, also feature on the list of places police have received complaints about.

The number of call-outs - seven in three years - suggests it should not exactly be a priority for police.

But concerns were such at one family picnic area that a councillor urged people to contact the force if they saw anything.

This summer Trevor Allison, a Cumbria county councillor and Carlisle city councillor, wrote about the worries in a letter to residents.

People living nearby and walkers had complained about people meeting for outdoors sex at Carleton.

Now, as autumn turns to winter, the situation is still a problem, said the councillor.

Mr Allison, who represents Cummersdale, Dalston and St Cuthbert, said: "The situation hasn't calmed down.

"We've put some notices up so it's too early to judge as to whether they will have any effect.

"It's an ongoing problem and I don't see it being resolved just yet.

"It might change in winter - perhaps it's more of a seasonal thing."

Mr Allison said hedges at the site needed to be cut back, which is the responsibility of the St Cuthbert Without Parish Council, which serves a patch including Blackwell and Brisco.

"The matter will be discussed at the next parish council meeting," he said.

Police: Doggers could face arrest

The county force says people considering such behaviour should think about others - and the fact they could end up a criminal.

A Cumbria Police spokeswoman said: "This unsavoury behaviour is something that can cause great distress to others - but could also see those involved being arrested for public indecency offences.

"I’d therefore ask those thinking about undertaking such activities to consider the potential impact on other people, as well as the possible criminal consequences."

The fallout from a site known for stranger sex

Earlier this year, toilets in a layby off the A69, near Carlisle, were permanently closed because of a similar problem.

The toilets, at Hayton layby, were shut by Highways England following complaints about persistent "anti-social behaviour at all times of the day".

A spokesman for the authority said the decision to close the toilets was taken over the complaints.

What is dogging?

Dogging is a slang term for engaging in sexual acts in a public place or watching others doing so.