RESIDENTS have reacted with fury after a pile of litter was dumped at a popular beauty spot in the district.
Tyne Green Country Park in Hexham is a busy location, and is used daily by dog walkers, runners and other members of the public.
But the site, which has been a valuable place of exercise for many during lockdown, became a target for litter louts on Friday.
A photo of the rubbish, taken by Roger Higgins, vice-chairman of Hexham Civic Society, caused quite a reaction from residents on social media.
"This has now been picked up by a good samaritan," said Roger, "but I wanted to highlight what happened because littering in this way is just inexcusable.
"It was in an unusually neat pile. We don't know, but there's every chance that someone might have just emptied their car of rubbish."
This happened during the bonfire night period, and Roger said the litter, made up predominantly of cans and wrappers, also included sparklers.
He added: "It's difficult to police this sort of thing, and it's not necessarily about the provision of bins.
"It is about personal responsibility. If there is a bin, use it, but if not please take your litter home and look after our town and the environment."
Residents responsed in numbers, and Peter Robson raised concerns over the threat to wildlife.
He added: "This is beyond annoying, the damage to wildife as well that will attempt to feed on this and sometimes die."
Deb Humble said: "That looks like someone has emptied their vehicle of their rubbish. Disgusting dirty people."
Ann Robson said: "Disgraceful. Please take your rubbish or put it in the bin. It's really not difficult."
Christine Little said the perpetrators should be ashamed, while Hazel Brooks said the littering was inexcusable because bins were available."
Coun. Derek Kennedy, who sits on both Hexham Town Council and Northumberland County Council, representing Hexham West, said: "This is really poor behaviour. It is not down to council workers or the general public to pick up other people's litter.
"We put bins around and we want people to take responsibility. It's part of being a good citizen and a good neighbour.
"I don't know how people can be so dirty. It is lazy and it is bad behaviour, for which there is no excuse."
The littering is a far cry from some of the encouraging initiatives to combat litter across the district.
In January of this year, before Covid restrictions became commonplace, a litter pick in West Wylam, Prudhoe, was attended by pupils from Adderlane Academy along with representatives from housing association Karbon Homes, Northumberland County Council, and businesses in the area.
Successful litter picks have also taken place elsewhere.
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