Litter findings rubbished by councils

A SWATHE of western Scotland was labelled as the UK's most littered area in the AA report - to the anger of local councils.

The Paisley postcode area, which also includes Inverclyde and Argyll & Bute, came bottom in the Streetwatch survey.

It earned its unenviable reputation for having the highest proportion of litter, such as cigarette packets, drinks cans and takeaway boxes.

The AA said "quite high counts" of such detritus was spotted in Paisley and Gourock. The survey returned similar reports from Johnstone and Erskine.

The AA's head of roads policy, Paul Watters, said: "This first survey by member volunteers has thrown up some interesting results, for example, Paisley's apparent top spot with a litter problem.

"Of all the things our survey identified, this is probably one of the easiest to fix if communities agree with our findings and want to act together to do something about it."

The results met with an angry response from Renfrewshire Council, which covers Paisley, Johnstone and Erskine. A spokesman said: "This self-selecting survey is based on very few returns. The true facts about litter in Paisley are reflected more accurately in the independent annual 'street cleanliness' ratings, compiled by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

"Over recent years, Renfrewshire Council's wide-ranging Clean Renfrewshire campaign has led to an improved rating for Renfrewshire, including Paisley.

"Our rating is above the average of most Scottish local authorities."

Argyll & Bute Council was also annoyed by the findings.