LARGE lorries delivering to shops around Teignmouth Triangle are spoiling efforts to promote a continental al fresco cafe culture.

People sitting around sipping their cappuccinos and lattes, do not like to be so close to the diesel belching trucks, the town council heard on Tuesday.

Cllr Sylvia Russell was concerned that 'huge' delivery lorries were coming into the pedestrianised Triangle outside the permitted hours, and there needed to be a crackdown. One driver left his truck there while he went for a break. I had a word with him, but he was not interested.

'We are trying to make it look continental and smart there, but these big vehicles parked alongside the tables do not help, and there should be more enforcement of the regulations.

'We are making a big effort to make the Triangle really attractive, and it has just had a spring clean.'

Town clerk Dave Tickell explained that enforcement was a 'grey area', with responsibility split between civil enforcement officers and the police.