A RUBBER duck, bra and even a cash register from the 80s were among items found by hundreds of volunteers across the county during a major clean up mission.
Almost 800 litter pickers took part in this year’s Great Cumbrian Litter Pick, held on May 21 and 22.
Covering a distance of 311km 75 groups including Hawkshead Primary School, St Walney Junior School, Lake District Diving and the Lakes Plastic Collective filled over 500 bags with rubbish at locations including Roosebeck and Windermere.
The annual event organised by conservation charity Friends of the Lake District aims to highlight the problems of littering and the huge amount of voluntary work that goes into keeping the county clean.
Ruth Kirk, landscape engagement officer said, “The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick takes place over two days, but many of the people who took part are out with litter pickers and bags day in and day out.
“Research shows that when a place is clear of litter, others are less likely to drop rubbish, so this is a vital task that volunteers are doing.
“Ultimately we need to make littering socially unacceptable and there is a long way to go to change people’s behaviour.
“Discarded debris doesn’t just look horrible; it harms wildlife and our spectacular landscapes.”
Litter pickers from the county’s schools, community groups, organisations and businesses discovered plenty of random items amongst the usual suspects of cans, bottles and dog poo bags, including socks, a giant inflatable rubber tyre tube and even a caravan toilet.
Children from Hawkshead Primary School spent a day clearing their village.
One staff member said: “The day was a mixture of emotions, pride in our beautiful village but saddened and angered that there was so much litter strewn about.”
Ms Kirk added: “We are so proud of and grateful to everyone who turned out to take part in the Great Cumbrian Litter Pick 2021.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day, we didn’t have to?”
The Friends of the Lake District gave thanks to The Lakes Plastic Collective, Lake District Diving and the National Trust for their support of the event, as well as the European Outdoor Conservation Organisation and Smartwool for their sponsorship.
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