DRUG addicts and vandals have forced the closure of one of the area's best known beauty spots and viewing points.

Railings and a door have been put up at Mow Cop Castle to restrict access to the tower to daylight hours at the weekend.

The site is owned by the National Trust, who took the decision reluctantly because of problems with litter and drug taking.

The tower will now be open to the public only between 8am and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays, the first time the trust has had to close it off since taking over the site in 1936.

''We have reluctantly taken this step because of the way people have been using the monument," said trust administration assistant Pamela Ferguson.

''There has been litter left lying around, it has been used by drugtakers and even as a toilet.

''It is a shame such a lovely place has to be closed because of the way a few people are using it.

''On the whole the public have appreciated the reasons we have closed the tower.

''If the situation changes we would look at whether we could reopen the tower, although there are no guarantees.''

Mow Cop Castle stands on ground 1,000 feet high, and on a fine day boasts views across Cheshire, Staffordshire and as far as Derbyshire, Shropshire and the Welsh hills.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.