A COUPLE are so fed up with the rubbish blighting their local nature reserve that they have spent several weekends with bags and litter picking sticks to tackle the problem.

Nick and Linda Peacock, who live near Turbary Common, have so far collected enough rubbish to fill nine industrial bin bags.

Nick said the litter situation had got “out of control” and he had contacted the council about the problem, requesting more litter bins be installed in the common – the largest area of heathland in north Bournemouth and home to numerous rare and important wildlife species.

There are currently just two litter bins on the common.

“My wife and I have been using the common to walk our dog since last May, and I can’t remember it being as bad then. Now, the litter problem is getting worse and worse," he said.

“We ignored it for a few weeks, but then it got to the level where we couldn’t ignore it any longer.

“We bought two litter picking sticks and some heavy duty bags and set about clearing up the common.

“We have continued to clean the area and have so far removed a total of nine large bin bags. By my estimates, it only takes a couple of days for one to two bags' worth of rubbish to be dumped.”

The 43-year-old said his biggest aim was to make people aware of the problem, adding he collected more than 20 drink cans in a two square metre area alone on one litter pick.

“We are blessed in this area to have some wonderful public spaces, if only people would look after them,” he said.

“People aren’t going to put certain types of rubbish in their pocket, but if they knew there was a bin 10 yards away, they would most likely pick it up.

“There are other groups who help clear up the litter, but if everyone did their little bit, it could go a long way in helping improve this situation."

Tom Bennett, senior parks ranger for Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “We are extremely grateful for the work that members of the public do to make this area clean and litter free for the public. There are currently nine dog bins and two litter bins on Turbary Common, and we often work with the public and community groups, including the Dorset Devils, to clear the area.”