He has also pledged to "stamp out the pillocks" who spoil Scarborough's image.

Malcolm Harper, of the Raincliffe Hotel, woke in the early hours to find soldiers tearing up the new turf he had laid at the front of his Valley Road property.

He said: "We have just spent £600 on our new turf to the front of the hotel.

"On hearing noise I looked out of our bay window to see squaddies ripping it up.

"I was straight out. Three large strips were gone, the smaller piece was being hurled around for fun – finally ending up on the post box like a new hair piece.

"I challenged the lads, three of them so I thought – only to my horror to see another 15 coming up the road. After words and plenty of insults, I got my grass back!"

He said there was a more senior soldier present who told the men to replace it.

Mr Harper added: "He told me I was brave to come out and stand up to them.

"I told him we worked hard and are still doing so to make the area a better place – and I had not realised the others were with them."

He said: "I have every regard for the forces, being ex-forces myself, but this mindless behaviour I will not put up with and I am determined to stamp out pillocks this year."

Mr Harper has a new sign outside his house to deter irresponsible guests.

Last year, Mr Harper gained regional and national publicity for his unique way of dealing with the "idiot element" and was affectionately branded Scarborough's version of John Cleese's TV character, Basil Fawlty.