Visitors to Therfield Heath have been urged not to drop litter in a bid to keep the area tidy.

Resident Jan Baker criticised the "awful litter problem" at Therfield Heath car park, which overlooks McDonald's, blaming the removal of both litter and dog waste bins from the site.

The Conservators of Therfield Heath previously explained that most nature reserves do not have litter bins, with visitors instead encouraged to take their litter home with them, and that the dog bins are due to be replced.

They added that they work closely with McDonald's, who do regular litter picking, and that when there were litter bins on the heath they were invaded by rats and crows, who spread the litter around.

Royston Crow: Bins were removed from Therfield Heath to prevent ratsBins were removed from Therfield Heath to prevent rats (Image: Conservators of Therfield Heath)

Jan said: "The spokesperson quoted seemed to decry the extent of the problem, and said that litter and dog poo bins were not necessarily.

"I parked in this car park last week and again was horrified at the vast amount of litter strewn everywhere in sight.

"There is still a regular mountain of dog poo bags in another corner of the car park as the proper receptacle has been removed. It's ridiculous for someone to say it is not needed.

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"The heath is a fantastic, well loved and used asset within the area. Every one of us needs to ensure that its beauty is preserved."

Chair of the Conservators Dr Nick Keep responded: "We are saddened by the behaviour of a minority of visitors and the recent state of the Therfield Road Car Park.

"We urge all visitors not to drop litter on the heath, by taking your litter home with you, you’re keeping the heath the place we all want it to be.

"We have been in contact with senior managers at McDonald's and we are working to identify a joint plan of action and re-establish regular communication. With regards to the new dog bins near the car park, they will be installed as soon as possible. 

"If you have any further comments, please email ranger@therfieldheath.org.uk  or attend our upcoming open meeting and elections on Thursday, February 23 at Royston Town Hall at 7pm."