Volunteers spend '15 hours' cleaning beauty spot

The National Trust said it had been struggling to keep Dunstable Downs clean and tidy for visitors and wildlife

Visitors to a National Trust site have been told to stop littering after staff and volunteers spent about 15 hours every week picking up rubbish.

The conservation charity reminded those visiting Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire to "leave no trace" ahead of the August bank holiday weekend.

It added there was a recurring problem of people illegally camping at National Trust locations and leaving debris behind which caused damage to animals and wildlife.

Visitor experience officer, Jessica Eykel, said: “We have had a long-standing problem of litter at Dunstable Downs where a change in behaviour with regards to litter and anti-social behaviour is urgently needed."

She explained that staff and volunteers could spend more time doing conservation work if they did not have to dedicate 15 hours a week to collecting litter.

Ms Eykel added: "We are asking visitors to take their litter home or recycle appropriately at the Gateway Centre to help us protect the Downs."

Dunstable Downs, which is the highest point in Bedfordshire, is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The location is also home to several Sites of Specific Scientific Interest due to the chalk grasslands and ancient monuments such as medieval rabbit warrens.

A National Trust spokes person added: "The level of anti-social behaviour and litter has reached a point where the trust is struggling to keep the popular location clean and tidy for visitors and wildlife."