I DON'T know how we have become such a race of litter louts. I'll bet there's even a pop tin and crisp packet on the moon.

Every beauty spot I visit is spoiled by carelessly discarded rubbish - and worse, it's putting wildlife at risk.

This week, the RSPCA launched a campaign to clean up local parks and water areas to prevent animals and birds suffering.

It highlighted the case of a great crested grebe, which had become entangled in fishing line that had been thoughtlessly dumped by the shore of the lake in Swan Lane, Hindley Green.

The poor thing's beak was anchored against its neck, stopping it from eating and drinking, and when the line was removed, officers discovered two weights and a plastic peg caught round its neck.

There's no need for it.

I hope the careless culprit who dumped the line is happy. I thought anglers were supposed to care.

Cases like this are on the increase - but they could be so easily avoided if people would only be more responsible and remove their cast-off line to bins or take it home.

What a rotten lot some people are.