Yorkshire Three Peaks walkers are urged to pick litter as they go

An outdoors events organiser is urging walkers in the Yorkshire Dales to do their bit and pick up litter.

The plea came after Phil Lee and his group from Kuta Outdoors bagged 16 sacks of rubbish round the Yorkshire Three Peaks route.

Mr Lee, who brings groups out to the Three Peaks several times a year, organised a litter pick around the challenge route with people who had walked with his company in the past and had raised money for various charities.

Thousands of people every year ascend Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent in the Yorkshire Dales national park, with many taking up a challenge to cover all three in less than 12 hours.

And a thoughtless few leave their rubbish behind instead of taking it home with them. National Park authority Three Peaks ranger Josh Hull joined the effort to collect litter from the hills.

Phil Lee said: “If everyone who comes to the Three Peaks picked up a bit of litter when they saw it, the peaks would stay clean all season.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the day and we hope to do another litter pick same time next year when we will be inviting our clients and anyone else who is interested to join us.”

The authority’s Three Peaks Project manager Steve Hastie said: “It’s great to see someone who organises groups coming back in their own time and putting the effort into looking after the area.

“As Phil says: priority one, don’t drop anything but, priority two, if you see something, pick it up, as long as it isn’t a health hazard.”

Nick Cotton, the national park authority’s member champion for recreation management, said: “The Three Peaks and the national park as a whole are beautiful, natural landscapes there for everyone to enjoy.

“Unfortunately that fragile environment can be damaged and spoiled by a few unthinking people who don’t realise the consequences of dropping empty wrappers and plastic water bottles and leave it all for others to clear up.

“Luckily there are people like Phil and his group who care enough to help us and we would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of them.”