Gardai have stepped up patrols in a seaside town after an eastern European criminal gang forced prostitutes to offer their services during daylight hours on the local beach.

A number of complaints have been made to gardai in Bundoran, Co Donegal, by men who were offered sex by three women handing out hand-written calling cards.

When the Irish Independent called the number yesterday, a woman said in a foreign accent "we be back on Saturday".

Asked what services were on offer, the woman said: "You call me Friday for sex on beach. No problem. Do whatever you want. My service is €200."

One eye-witness at the beach told the Irish Independent: "They (women) were being followed by three men and it was clear they were their pimps."

Garda Inspector Denis Joyce in Ballyshannon said they were aware of the reports and were investigating the incidents.