Mountain rescuers halt training to clear up litter

Disposable barbecues were among the rubbish found strewn across the ground at the beauty spot

A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty spot.

Volunteers from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park when they spotted litter strewn across the ground.

In a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue".

"Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said.

"In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground.

"Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out."

The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the landscape.

They warned litter "not only spoils the landscape" but is also dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors.

They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home".

The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and last summer the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area.

The team had to call a halt to their training session to clean up the litter

Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, adding it was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales".

It warned litter continued to "blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment".

The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social media.

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk".

He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes.

"Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar."

Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who produces a Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free.

"Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive.

"Let's make memories, not mess."

'Leave barbecues at home'

Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer.

"To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said.

It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are cold.

They also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents.