By popular request, Rugby council is asking you not to be a 'tosser'

File image of Caldecott Park and, inset, part of the new poster.

A huge increase in littering which saw Rugby council workers having to collect an extra ten tonnes of rubbish from our parks and open spaces every day has seen the launch of a new poster campaign.

Earlier this month the council revealed the rise in inconsiderate behaviour - which has included people defecating in our borough's parks.

The 'don't be a tosser' slogan has proved popular in New Zealand and elsewhere in the UK - and residents thought it was time for Rugby Borough Council to begin making the request.

Cllr Howard Roberts, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for the environment and public realm, said: "After we demonstrated just how much litter we were collecting, a number of residents asked us to consider using a campaign that has been used in New Zealand and elsewhere in the UK.

"We're happy to oblige.

"The vast majority of our residents put their rubbish in a bin, or where that's not possible they take it home.

"This campaign is aimed at telling the litter tossers just what the rest of us think: there are no excuses so take it home."

The posters will be put up in Rugby's parks and open spaces by community champions and council staff over the next few weeks, and will also feature on social media.