LITTER pickers have been out in force around the southern lakes as reports of littering and bad behaviour have grown during the half-term holiday.

Ruth Kirk, the landscape engagement officer at Friends of the Lake District, is especially concerned at people leaving rubbish.

“Over the Bank Holiday weekend, a large gathering of teenagers was filmed at Miller Ground, on the shore of Windermere, some of whom were lobbing glass bottles in to the lake," she said. "Huge amounts of rubbish were left behind.

“With more and more people holidaying in, and visiting, the Lake District due to Covid restrictions, we have seen a huge rise in littering and ‘fly camping,’ which is putting enormous pressure on local communities and organisations who look after the area.

“Litter not only looks horrible but it is damaging to wildlife and polluting to our lakes and rivers."

Cllr Andrew Jarvis, who represents Windermere on South Lakeland District Council, was equally appalled. He said: “We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world and it is really upsetting to see parts of it being needlessly trashed.

“I am really grateful to all the volunteers that are repeatedly working to clean up other people’s mess.

“As a district council we have put on additional services to collect rubbish and clean litter, as well as employing ‘Covid marshals’ to patrol the area again this year.

“However, we can only keep the Lake District beautiful if everyone helps.

"I want everyone to enjoy the area, whether they are visiting or live here permanently. But when you do go out in the Lakes, please take your rubbish home with you and treat the area with respect.”

Figures from the office of national statistics (ONS), reported that visits to the national park were up 92 per cent last month. The RAC tweeted warning of ‘further delays this next week’.