More than 40 volunteers from the Wimborne community helped pick up the biggest amount of litter Wimborne War on Waste has ever collected in two hours on one of their picks.

A spokesman said: “It was shocking to see and we could have easily spent the whole day clearing rubbish along verges, underneath bushes, on streets, paths and the river banks. The worst offenders were cigarette butts – we lost count of those in town, especially outside pubs, bus stops, and other venues where people gather then drop their butts as they rush in. Plastic cable ties, dog poo bags and general single use items such as bottles, takeaway food containers and coffee cups were also abundant.

She added that whilst they all enjoy getting together to do something positive for the planet, the group of litter pickers has asked WWoW to ask the good folk of Wimborne, to do their bit too.

She said: “Can you put a cigarette bin/ash tray outside your business for your customers to use? Can you use string instead of plastic cable ties to put up your posters/banners or sign boards instead? Can you do a two-minute litter pick in your break outside your house or business? The more we keep our place clean and free from litter the easier it becomes to imagine a litter free Wimborne.”

The group welcomes everyone to join them and they lend out litter picking equipment if anyone wishes to do their own.

For more information and to add your name to the email group please contact wimbornewaronwaste@gmail.com

The dates for the next litter picks are Sunday 26 March 11-1pm, Wednesday 24 May 6-7pm and Sunday 2 July 11-1pm, starting from the Fair Trade Shop in the Cornmarket.