LITTER wardens could soon be patrolling the countryside if a new campaign is successful.

The Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has joined with the county and district councils to clean up rural areas.

Their campaign aims for action on a parish level with the appointment of wardens to take responsibility for litter picking in the area.

Director of CPRE Dorset Robin Bawtree said: "We are hoping that litter is something parishes will want to pick up."

One parish, Wool, has had a litter warden for five years and parish clerk Nickie Johnson said: "It has helped the village tremendously.

"We do get lots of tourists who picnic and leave litter, so it is extremely useful to have someone to keep an eye on things."

The litter warden works 12 hours a week and follows the same route every day. He is paid by the parish council and half his salary is funded by a grant from SITA waste management company.

If other parishes are interested in setting up a similar post, the CPRE may be able to provide some funding.

Mr Bawtree said: "It has got to the stage that people have noticed litter getting worse and want to do something about it."

The campaign committee, which includes representatives from the councils and from the countryside watchdog, has written to parish councils explaining the campaign.

It is producing leaflets, which will be distributed to parish councils.

Anti-litter campaigner Brian Bean from Rashley Road, Chickerell, has being running his own local campaign against litter bugs, but is now working with the CPRE, which contacted him following an article in the Dorset Echo about his campaign.

Mr Bean plans to set up a pilot project in Chickerell educating people about litter and sparking public debate on the matter.

He is working to get this included in the parish plan. If the pilot is successful he plans to expand the project to Weymouth and Portland, Bridport and then perhaps nationally.

He sees litter as an indication of lack of moral standards and believes it can be combated with education, advertising and by getting the public actively involved. Residents of Chickerell have been asked in a survey how they believe litter should be tackled.

Mr Bean is hoping they will support his campaign.

Mr Bean said: "The law is obviously not working. Although councils have the power to fine offenders, they do not have the resources to catch them in the act. We need to bring about a permanent change in culture so people don't drop litter."

Mr Bawtree said: "We want to raise awareness that where there is no litter, people don't drop litter. It is important that people realise dropping litter is anti-social and spoils our beautiful countryside."