Lancashire one of worst counties in North West for plastic related animal incidents

New data from the RSPCA shows how plastic related incidents for the whole of England have increased by 22 per cent since 2015.

In 2018, there were 62 litter incidents involving animals in Lancashire reported to the RSPCA, with 29 of those being plastic related.

This is compared to figures from Greater Manchester, whose overall incidents totalled 43, 19 of which involved plastics.

RSPCA Head of Wildlife, Adam Grogan said: "This shocking rise in plastic litter incidents suggests that plastic is a growing threat to animals."

The charity’s latest data also reveals that there are certain animals - especially those that live in water habitats - which are being affected disproportionately by plastic, including seals, ducks, geese and swans.

There were 23 more incidents where seals were affected by plastic in 2018 compared to 2015, and figures almost doubled for geese and swans over the same four-year period.

Mr Grogan continued: "Every year, the RSPCA deals with increasing numbers of mammals, birds and reptiles that have become entangled or affected in some way by discarded plastic.

"From seals with deep infected wounds caused by plastic frisbees cutting into their necks, to swans and geese trapped in fishing line or netting, plastic is clearly having an increasing impact on animal welfare.

"Our latest data sadly reflects the wider litter crisis taking place right now across the globe and action is urgently needed. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter."