Rubbish left in a Lake District car park

Rubbish left in a Lake District car park

Lake District rangers say the beauty of the area is being blighted by unthinking visitors leaving litter.

And they warned there is no poo fairy to come and remove the numerous bags of dog mess left hanging from trees.

Lakeland visitor numbers have soared during one of the best summers in recent years, but so has the problem of litter left in car parks and other area.

National park bosses said visitors probably think there is a collection service, but it’s left to others to remove the unsightly rubbish.

Ranger Steve Tatlock said: “Across the Lakes we’re getting people leaving bags of rubbish, many assuming they will be picked up in regular refuse collections. In fact, this doesn’t happen.

“We are left with rangers and volunteers picking up the spoils of picnics, barbecues, wild camping and days out. We’ve even had sleeping bags and tents dumped in car parks.

“We need to get the message out there that if the public wants to continue enjoying our sensational scenery and landscape they must play a part in helping to protect it.

“We want to encourage the three Rs: reduce, re-use and recycle.”

He said well-meaning people bagged their trash and left it in a prominent place thinking it would be picked up and disposed of.

“Obviously this happens in urban areas but in the countryside it would be impossible to provide such services. We’ve got to appeal to everyone to take their litter home or to the nearest bins,” he said.

“We have a particular problem with dog muck in plastic bags left hanging in trees. Sadly, we don’t have poo fairies to find them and take them away – we have to and it’s not very nice.

“Please, help us help you enjoy this world renowned area by keeping it litter free.”

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