Preston RSPCA team collects 32 bags of rubbish as part of the Great British Spring Clean

The Preston and District RSPCA team collected 32 bags of rubbish during their three-hour clean-up at Grange Park.

The event was held as a part of the Great British Spring Clean 2025.

Items such as an abandoned lawn mower and a doll house were collected by the eight members of the team, near the charity’s rehoming centre on Longridge Road.

RSPCA animal rescue officer David Hatton, who organised the litter pick on 26 March, said: “As our branch rehoming centre is local, we all know this area well, so it was nice to be able to do our bit to help tidy up Grange Park and the nearby area.

We deal with so many avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter and many of the items we collected, including glass and plastic, could have had serious consequences for wildlife – so we hope this litter pick will not only have improved the environment but helped keep local animals safe too.”

He continued; “Old drink cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to mammals including foxes, deer and hedgehogs.

“They can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death.”

An example of the harm of rubbish Pic: RSPCA

Keep Britain Tidy’s “Great British Spring Clean” continued until Sunday 6 April and calls upon the community to protect wildlife and pets from litter.

RSPCA anti-litter campaign manager Carries Stones said: “There’s still time to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean, but it’s also really easy for the public to help at any time of the year.

“When people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly – or recycle where appropriate.

“Sadly, for every animal we’re able to help that has been impacted by litter there are probably many others that go unseen or unreported.

“But everyone can prevent these incidents from happening in the first place by taking their rubbish home.”

To get help for a small sick or injured animal as quickly as possible, the RSPCA’s advice is to take it to a vet. There is more information online.

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