AROUND 200 litter was removed from the roadside an verges in the Forest last year.

The work took nearly 12,500 hours by council staff and volunteers.

The Forest Council is asking residents and motorists to help protect the natural beauty of the area.

Much of the build up of rubbish including food packaging, drink cans, cigarette ends and plastic bottles is believed to be thrown from passing vehicles.

Cllr Andy Moore (Green, Newnham) the council’s Cabinet member for Waste and Recycling said: “200 tonnes of litter don’t appear overnight.

“This will have been dropped, one or two pieces at a time, often from vehicles into a landscape as beautiful and valued as the Forest of Dean.

“It’s frustrating to think about what goes through someone’s mind in that moment.

“This is a place we are all lucky to have to enjoy, and one that deserves our care and respect.

“While we remain committed to clearing litter and keeping our streets and green spaces clean, preventing the litter in the first place is even more important.”

“Litter is not only an eyesore - it poses a serious threat to wildlife, which can ingest it or become trapped and entangled in discarded items.

The council is reminding drivers that littering from a vehicle is an offence and can result in a £50 fixed penalty notice.

In some cases, the owner may be held liable, even if the litter was thrown by a passenger.

Residents who capture a littering offence on dashcam footage can submit it to the council and this may lead to legal action being taken.

Footage can be emailed to [email protected]. with the date, time and location of the incident.

Residents can report overflowing litter bins, litter problems and fly-tips on the council’s website at: www.fdean.gov.uk/litter