Dismay as flooding leaves park covered in litter

Charity founder Chris Desai has pledged to deal with plastic waste around Watermead Country Park

An environmental campaigner says he is disgusted by the amount of plastic waste found at a Leicestershire park following recent flooding.

Chris Desai, founder of Leicester-based Charity UOCEAN 2050, said some of the rubbish flushed into Watermead Country Park, nearThurmaston, was decades-old.

The charity said it would be sending teams of litter pickers to the park to help clear up along the banks of the River Soar, which runs through the park.

Plastic packaging, bags and bottles were left hanging from trees and shrubbery when the river level dropped, Mr Desai said.

A crisp packet from 2014 was found at the park

"The park is decimated with plastic pollution," he said.

"We see this week-in, week-out but after a flood it shows how much plastic is in the river because it leaves it behind when the water recedes.

"This isn't a new problem. We've found plastic that's 30 years old coming out of the River Soar - Smokey Bacon crisps and things like that.

"It's like the river's just giving it you back."

The charity says it hopes to install a barrier in the river later this year to collect plastic so it can be removed before it reaches the sea.

Leicestershire County Council, which manages the part of the park near Thurmaston, has been contacted for comment.

Geese at Watermead Country Park live alongside the plastic packaging thrown up by recent floods