Over 12 tonnes of litter collected on busy road

The littered waste was collected during a clean-up of the A46 in Warwick last month

More than 12 tonnes (12,000kg) of litter was collected from a busy road during a clean-up operation.

The discarded waste was recovered from an 18km (11 mile) stretch of the A46, including the central reservation and lay-bys, between Coventry and Stratford-upon-Avon over 10 nights in October, Warwick District Council said.

The amount collected was 3,000kg less than that collected over the same time last year, it added.

A spokesman said although the amount had reduced, it was a "wholly unnecessary exercise" when drivers could take their waste home rather than discard it.

A rolling lane closure was in place throughout the works to direct traffic away from the area.

Contractors carry out a cleanse of the 18km section of the road twice a year.