Bill Bryson launching CPRE's Stop the Drop campaign, London. Photo © CPRE

This morning (Wednesday 16 April) the Wombles, the ultimate litter pickers and recyclers, were wombling free in Leicester Square Gardens, London to help launch CPRE’s national anti-litter and fly-tipping campaign Stop the Drop – the charity’s major campaign against the growing blight of litter and fly-tipping.

Author and President of CPRE Bill Bryson joined the Wombles – Great Uncle Bulgaria, Wellington, Madam Cholet and Tobermory – to discuss the campaign and highlight what CPRE hopes to achieve.

The Wombles first started picking up litter nearly 40 years ago, but our towns and countryside are covered with more litter and fly-tipping than ever before. That’s why they have come out of hibernation and CPRE are urging people up and down the country to follow there example and join the Stop the Drop campaign.

‘All the evidence shows that litter is getting worse and we need the relevant authorities to be more active, rather than rely on Litter Saints to pick it all up for us’, said Bryson. ‘A tidy town and countryside should be a right, not a surprise. It’s possible. It’s worth it.’

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The campaign website is www.cpre.org.uk

2. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk