I CAME down to visit Bournemouth last week as my daughter is starting a university course in September and I wanted to have a look around the town. I have to say that my first impressions where not what I had expected.

I was both appalled and saddened by the amount of litter I saw during our visit. From discarded half eaten take-away littering the underpasses to discarded lager, cider and Red Bull cans through to wine and spirit bottles, the town was awash with them.

Can all of this be blamed on the good weather and the influx of tourists who leave more than footprints or does Bournemouth like many other towns have an increasing litter problem caused by residents who have little or no pride in themselves or their neighbourhood?

I am a member of the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles who have established themselves to support the local authorities in tackling the blight of littering in our communities. Does Bournemouth have such groups?

We live in a world where we want convenience and ease but also when resources are precious and the damage we are doing to the land is fast becoming irreversible. According to a 2017 government survey, littering costs local authorities approximately £30 per household, a figure that has most certainly increased in the last few years. This is on top of the current council tax allocation for household refuse and recycling collection. The money that is being spent on cleaning litter and fly tipping is being diverted from other local authority causes as budget cuts continue.

The message is simple, if you want to see more money spent on local authority improvements then please for the sake of all of us and the planet, please take your litter home with you.

Next time I come I’ll bring my litter picker and some bin bags as it is a shame to see areas of the town look such a mess.

SIMON INGRAM-HAWKES

Stablegate Way, Market Harborough