Ashby de la Zouch Town Council is to put together a plan of action to tackle the area's litter issues.

The matter was discussed by councillors at Monday's meeting of the Parks & Cemetery Committee.

Litter proved a problem during lockdown when good weather attracted more people to the town's parks.

That, in turn, produced more litter and the committee heard that council staff filled 20-30 bags from the Bath Grounds, particularly during May.

The committee favoured a campaign in local schools but did not think a fines system for members of the public would work.

Cllr Barbara Kneale said: "It's been a general issue all over the country, particularly in lockdown, which has been related to the increased use of our parks - which is a good thing.

"I support our council employees who often come in for quite a lot of stick.

"They do the best job they can, their primary role is not as litter pickers.

"If the litter wasn't dropped it wouldn't need to be picked up, I think what we need is a three-pronged approach.

"Some councils have a policy strategy, perhaps that's the first level of action we can do as a council.

"The second level is an education policy, we need to educate people at all levels.

"Under the Environmental Act of 1990, we can issue fines for littering, other councils are doing it, we've not gone down that route in the past."

The committee heard that the Town Council do not have the power to issue fines and staff are not in favour due to the confrontational aspects of enforcing it.

Cllr Dan Harrison added: "We need to think carefully to create a policy that's practicable and manageable.

"Something we can endorse sensibly."

Cllr Rita Manning said: "I do like the idea of including schools, the younger the children, the more influence they seem to have on their parents.

"They remind them they mustn't drop litter, they remind them about various things they've been taught at school. It might be a good place to start."

Town clerk Jack Fargher added: "In the past, we've had littering campaigns, part of which was going into schools, particularly Ivanhoe and primary schools and it was quite successful. I will certainly take it up with the District Council.

"There was a huge problem during lockdown, particularly during May when the weather was fantastic and the parks were covered in people and therefore litter.

"Our lads were taking around 20 or 30 bags off the Bath Grounds over that period.

"But things have calmed down a bit particularly with the kids back at school and the weather starting to deteriorate, I'd say we're back to what I'd call normal levels of littering. But we're not complacent about it, on the contrary, and I'd say there's room for activity there."

It was agreed to raise the subject of anti-littering signage in the town with the District Council combined with a possible campaign in local schools.

Cllr John Coxon added: "We did have a spike earlier in the year where we saw a lot of litter dropped.

"We need a co-ordinated approach over this."

Committee Chairman Cllr Roger Bayliss said: "We all ask the Town Clerk to take into account all the comments that have been made and produce a plan of action for a future meeting."