Hunting for cleaner British countryside

THE Countryside Alliance is joining forces with hunts across the country to clean up rural areas this summer.

The Alliance is dedicating the weekend of 2-3 June to picking up litter, after the government announced last week it is to review sentencing for fly-tipping.

Head of hunting Polly Portwin said it is hoped hunts will “embrace the idea to help keep our beautiful countryside litter-free.

“We are encouraging those taking part to enlist the help of others in their local areas to show the true spirit of the countryside,” she said. “It is believed those who drop litter in our wonderful countryside and on rural roads do so because they are unlikely to be observed carrying out such socially unacceptable behaviour.

“We are highlighting the increasing problem that littering has become and are urging those who visit and live in rural areas to respect the countryside by taking their litter home with them.

“This type of organised activity by those who follow hounds is another example of their involvement in local communities, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of pounds they raise for charities such as Cancer Research and the air ambulances, through designated hunt events and donations.”

The Alliance will distribute natural fibre rubbish collection bags to hunts before the event.