A NEW way of tackling littering has been launched in the Forest – and if it’s successful it could be copied around the country.

The first ‘litter shop’ has been opened in St John Street, Coleford as part of the Love Your Forest campaign.

The artists behind the idea of the CON-venience shop, Lou McCurdy and Chloe Hanks want to raise awareness of how long litter can remain in the environment.

Among the litter that has been found in the Forest are a 33-year-old crisp packet and drink bottles dating back to the 1970s.

Lou McCurdy said: “The shop in the Forest of Dean is our first rural location which has given us an amazing opportunity to visualise the environmental and social challenges of plastic litter and the throw-away culture.”

The project’s co-ordinator Glenn Redwood will be at the shop during its opening hours which are 10am to 4pm on Friday, Saturday and Monday until July 12.

He said: “As a Forester I really love the Forest.

“I’m sad to see litter and it angers me when I see people disregarding their Forest.”

The campaign has been designed by charity Hubbub in partnership with the Coleford plant of Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS).

The plant’s head of environment, Leyton Powell, said LRS is proud to be associated with the campaign.

He said: “We know rural litter is an issue but the impact in the Forest of Dean, a natural, beautiful location, seems to be that much more hurtful.

“However this is what gives us this fantastic opportunity and something to get excited about in the innovative ideas that will drive the behaviours of the people who create this litter.

“We are confident that this partnership is going to make a difference.”

The five-month project will also see roadside galleries to highlight the problem of litter and local volunteers will also be out removing rubbish.

Running alongside it will be ‘communitrees’ where faces painted by local children will be attached to trees to discourage litter louts.

Cllr Marrilyn Smart (Con, English Bicknor and Christchurch), the Forest Council’s Cabinet member for environment, said: “We are pleased to host the pilot project in our district to raise awareness of littering.

“We encourage residents to visit the litter shop and learn about the issues caused by the irresponsible disposal of waste.”

It is estimated some 250 tonnes of litter are removed from the Forest each year at a cost to taxpayers of more than £400,000.