A RESIDENT has expressed his horror after finding a ‘ridiculous’ amount of litter at a summer hotspot.

Brian Hope, from Darlington, turned around after setting out to walk his dog along Broken Scar and the River Tees when he found numerous amounts of litter left behind by people enjoying this week's warm weather.

Among the litter he had found was soiled nappies, plastic and glass bottles, towels and food packaging.

Mr Hope said he was disappointed after seeing the rubbish - some of which he spotted floating in the river.

He said: "I used to go down years ago and take my kids, and we’d go on bike rides or walks and things like that, but it’s never been as bad as it’s been recently. I was disgusted by it.

“I ended up just turning round and going back as the dog was trying to pick up all the nappies and bottles.

"It used to be such a nice place but, to be honest, it's put me off going there altogether. It's ridiculous."

This week, families and friends have been enjoying the warm weather as heatwave temperatures soared to high 20 and 30 degrees.

By Thursday, the Met Office had released a yellow weather warning for the whole of the North-East and North Yorkshire and warned that heatwaves are on the increase as a result of climate change.

Mr Hope repeated those concerns for the environment.

He said: "Right now they're going on about all the plastic and pollution and you see it when you turn on the TV.

"Half the stuff there was going down the river and you know that's going to end up in the sea. With everything that’s going on it just makes a mockery of it.

"I understand people going out and having a good time but I saw what was left behind and I just couldn’t work out what they were thinking.

“And that’s just after a couple of day of warm weather, imagine what it will be like at the end of the week."

Councillor Paul Howell, cabinet member for leisure and local environment, said: “Our street scene team is aware of this and working hard to keep the area as litter-free as possible. They have recently stepped up patrols in light of the warm weather and school holidays.

“Broken Scar is a popular beauty spot and we want to make sure it stays that way. Unfortunately, the thoughtless actions of a few can spoil it for the many.

"We urge people to use the bins provided or take their litter home with them.”

  • Anyone who sees a problem with litter in this area and other areas can email the street scene team streetscene@darlington.gov.uk