A reader has been in touch with Midsomer Norton Nub News about a local litter pick.

She told us that she was out today (December 30) around Westfield trading estate and was horrified by what she found.

She told us : " It's truly shocking the amount that I collect especially the number of masks! Twenty five discarded masks in a distance of less than 100 metres! Why ?"

Masks are a particular litter problem because the majority are manufactured from long-lasting plastic materials, and if discarded can persist in the environment for decades to hundreds of years.

According to one national study from earlier this year there was a 9,000 per cent increase in litter from face masks recorded in the first seven months of the pandemic.

You can read about the research HERE: the national news network

The problem of littering is being tackled over in Radstock on New Year's day. They are running a womble-get together with everyone invited to take part.

You can find out how and where by clicking HERE: the Radstock Nub News site