A Ledbury in Bloom working party has collected 25 bags of rubbish from the bypass area.

The haul has led to warnings that the litter problem needs to be tackled vigorously, if the town is to win the Britain in Bloom finals.

Last year, Ledbury was the overall winner in the Heart of England region and this year it represents the area in the UK finals.

But Ledbury in Bloom chairman Tom Deane said: "Litter is a serious problem in Ledbury. This needs to be tackled vigorously.

"We collected 25 bags of rubbish from the bypass this week. This litter accumulated as a direct result of the actions of some drivers who use the bypass. Within days, fresh litter has appeared.

"Keeping the town clean is an essential element in the aims of the In Bloom movement. With the support of everybody we can overcome this major eyesore."

Mr Deane is calling for more volunteers to tackle problem areas, before judges arrive this summer.

He has also made contact with Chris Tweedale, head of John Masefield High School, with a view to getting across the anti-litter message to young people.

At the last meeting of the Ledbury Tourist Assoc-iation, the finger of blame for littering was pointed at young people.

But Mr Deane said: "School children are not the only ones who create litter."

He added young people are certainly not responsible for the mess along the bypass.

Mr Deane is to speak to separate year groups during school assemblies at the school, on dates still to be arranged.

Mr Tweedale, in turn, has pledged a good turnout of parents and pupils for the town's second spring cleaning day on Saturday, May 17. The first spring clean date of the year will be on April 12.

Details about volunteering as a litter picker are available now from the Tourist Information Centre in The Homend.