LITTER strewn across verges on the Christchurch bypass will be cleared next week, following complaints from residents.

Paper, packaging and plastic cover the grass along the busy stretch of road between Stony Lane roundabout and the Somerford roundabout.

The rubbish is on both sides of the road, as well as all over the central reservation.

Residents driving along the dual carriageway have complained about the unkempt appearance, comparing it to a flytipping site.

Dorset County Council ward member, David Jones, said: "Throwing litter is a disgusting habit and people should have more respect for their surroundings and the environment.

"I am very disappointed that it is in this state. However, with the removal of the bins earlier this year, it sends a message to people.

"I will be pressing Dorset Waste Partnership to act on this as soon as possible.

"We are very proud of our beautiful borough and do not want people to think we don't care about its appearance."

Bins at Christchurch Quay were removed earlier this year, as part of Christchurch council trial to encourage people to take their litter home with them.

But residents and community leaders slammed the decision, with the borough council deciding to put them back.

The council also agreed to roll the trial out to other areas of Christchurch, although the exact locations have not yet been revealed.

Commenting on the litter on the A35 Christchurch bypass, Michael Moon, head of service operations at Dorset Waste Partnership said they were aware of the litter on the A35.

"It is scheduled to be cleared this week (31/10).

"Because it is a dual carriageway with a 70mph speed limit, we can’t send out regular crews.

"For safety’s sake, the work has to be carried out by specialist contractors who use rolling roadblocks."