Louts who spoil some of Scotland's most stunning beauty spots will be targeted in a police operation over the next six months.

High-profile patrols will cover Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to promote responsible countryside conduct and deter antisocial behaviour and crime.

Operation Ironworks will be launched on Friday by Central Scotland police and run in conjunction with rangers from National Park Authority and Forestry Commission Scotland, with support from Strathclyde Police and Tayside Police. Crimestoppers Scotland are also supporting the initiative.

During the project there will be 42 schemes targeting issues such as speeding, parking problems, traffic issues at Rowardennan and Balmaha, litter offences, theft, vandalism and noise disturbance.

High-visibility patrols will be carried out by officers on bikes plus officers from the Road Policing Unit, Dog Section and Underwater Search Unit.

The force's mobile police office will also be used at various locations, wildlife crime officers will be deployed, and traffic wardens will ensure traffic problems are kept to a minimum.

Leading the operation Sergeant Joyce Greenhorn, said: "We want to make sure people can visit and enjoy the natural beauty this area has to offer without falling victim to crime or causing an annoyance to others. We also want to ensure that those who live here don't have their quality of life affected by visitors who may break the law."

Problems in the past have included tents, cars, barbecues and bags of rubbish being abandoned. Trees have even been felled for firewood.

"The national park will be policed by local officers who have local knowledge and know the problem areas. Every loch accessible will be patrolled," Sergeant Greenhorn added.