Visitors to a hugely popular Saddleworth beauty spot have been urged to take their rubbish home with them by a leading conservation authority.

The move comes after the RSPB were shown pictures taken at Dovestone last weekend with fears there could be even bigger problems with a big surge in visitors this upcoming bank holiday weekend.

A spokesman for The RSPB, who manages the site with United Utilities, said: “We ask and expect visitors to respect the countryside and use the bins on site and in the car park.

The Oldham Times:

“If they are full then they should dispose of their waste at home. There is no excuse for just dropping rubbish or dumping it next to a full bin, that is not acceptable behaviour.

“A contractor is employed and paid for by the RSPB to empty the bins on site and litter pick around them twice a week in summer and weekly in winter. The council also cleans and empties the bins in the car park regularly and United Utilities provide bins and also pay for litter picking on the embankment areas.

“In addition the RSPB site team, volunteers, United Utilities and Life for a Life staff also litter pick on a regular basis and especially after a busy weekend. Large amounts of litter are never left on site for any length of time, but cannot always be removed right way.”