Redbridge's park rangers have issued a plea to public as littering soars in the borough’s parks.

Last year 98,000 bags of litter were collected from Redbridge parks, nearly four times more than during the previous year.

Park rangers also reported a shocking 227 bags of rubbish being collected from Valentines Park alone in a single day in June this year.

The unprecedented level of rubbish has prompted pleas from the borough’s park rangers asking the public to protect, respect and love our parks by taking their litter home with them.

Claire Oliverio, head ranger at Hainault Forest, said: “Unfortunately, over the last year or so we’ve seen a huge rise in litter.

“We’re finding PPE discarded in vegetation, plastic food packaging and cups from family picnics spread across grasslands, and the remnants of illicit BBQs in our precious woodlands.

“Not only is this unsightly, but it also poses a hazard for both people and wildlife, as well as increase problems with pest control.

“We’re all working really hard to keep on top of the surge in litter, but now more than ever we need your help too. If you love our parks as much as we do, please help us keep them clean and tidy by taking your litter home with you.”

Cllr Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, added: “Our borough is one of the greenest in London, with award winning parks and many areas of natural beauty, but we need your support to help us keep it that way.

“It’s no surprise this last year our parks have been a refuge for physical and mental well-being for so many, but as footfall in our parks increased sadly so has the amount of litter.

“Keeping our parks clean and tidy is a real team effort involving all of us, so please do your bit and show your love for our parks by taking your litter home with you.”

The council is planning to trial a range of different types of litter bin across the borough’s parks.

The trial, due to start later this year, will see the addition of new bin types across a selected number of parks.

The bins will be monitored for the volume of rubbish collected, and usage with the aim of helping the council understand public behaviour towards littering, as well as help reduce litter and encourage people to take litter home.