CAMPAIGNERS are urging residents to 'Bin the Beast' in a bid to fight the coronavirus.

The Litter Free Dorset group says the numbers of disposable gloves being discarded incorrectly across the county is increasing.

Sophie Colley, from the environmental pressure group, said: "Above all else right now we need to think of others.

"Littering is not only careless but can also spread coronavirus.”

So a new campaign called 'Let's Keep Dorset Beautiful - Bin The Beast" has been launched.

The Marine Conservation Society, which is supporting the initiative, said: "Let's all remember to dispose of our waste properly.

"This type of litter is not only dangerous for our marine environment, but can be harmful to frontline waste collectors who have to pick it up.”

Environmentalists say that while people across the world have taken to wearing protective gloves, the numbers of them littering communities and the countryside has also increased.

A Keep Dorset Litter Free spokesman said: "This can create a serious health and hygiene risk to members of the public as these discarded gloves could potentially be contaminated with Covid-19.

"It also has a major environmental impact, as the gloves, made of plastic and rubber, can take years to decompose and breakdown which adds to plastic pollution.

"This pollution is not only affecting the environment, it can also be damaging to local wildlife and is detrimental to the appearance of streets and other public spaces in Dorset."

Litter Free Dorset also argues it is a waste of time and resources, which are under increasing pressure as the pandemic continues, as workers have to clear up discarded gloves.

Litter Free Dorset is a community grouping, made up of local organisations, charities and other community groups. The organisation, designed with an aims to reduce littering across Dorset. work together to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of litter.

They work to both prevent littering behaviour and to clean up Dorset streets, and would like to encourage the general public to do the same.

Visit www.litterfreedorset.co.uk to find out more.