A GROUP of local climbers held a litter-pick around the famous Wintours Leap rock face in the Wye Valley near Woodcroft.

"We did it in order to make up for the extensive littering and woodland desecration in the area," said a spokesman.

"A lot of people could have the impression that it is the climbers who visit the spot who are responsible for all the mess but climbers are the last people who would drop litter.

"We climb for the joys of being in the open and experiencing unspoiled nature – we are definitely not to blame for careless littering."

The group met at Rising Sun at Woodcroft before tackling the roadside laybys and woodland at the clifftop and then picking up debris from the rockface itself.