DISCARDED needles, used condoms and whiskey bottles dumped on public land are causing huge problems for one town centre resident.

Now Lynton Elcocks of Marsh Farm Lane is on a one-man mission to campaign for increased litter picking patrols after seeing a mounting amount of rubbish discarded in his neighbourhood.

“The amount of litter is astonishing and it’s incredible how it builds up. I don’t want to walk outside and see that, rubbish needs to be picked up more often,” he said.

“It’s like someone had a party and it happens all the time. It doesn’t feel safe walking around and doesn’t feel safe walking your dog.

“I’m absolutely disgusted, it is horrible to walk out of your front door and be confronted by all of that.

“This area is a regular dog walking route for many people too and my dog nearly stood on a discarded needle in the grass more recently and this I am afraid is not acceptable right outside my own home and next to a school."

The route is currently litter picked by Swindon Borough Council’s StreetSmart team once a month with special provision for broken, glass needles and used condoms. The council aims to remove these items within one working day when they are reported on the ground.

Lynton said he has resorted to picking up needles himself to ensure that children at nearby St Joseph’s Catholic College are unaffected by the mess.

Lynton said he wants an increased litter picking presence in his area.

“I want it done more often as it is getting out of control."

Now Lynton plans to launch a campaign to encourage regular litter picking and says he has support in the community.

“My neighbours are on-board and obviously things can’t continue on like this. It is stressful having to see that when you go out for walks. You just want to relax when you go out and you feel like you can’t.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “Our StreetSmart team has litter-picked in Marsh Farm Lane on a monthly basis for a number of years in order to deal with general litter and fly-tipped waste.

“We would encourage members of the public to report any litter they spot.

“We aim to remove items such as needles, used condoms and broken glass as well as offensive graffiti within a working day of being made aware of their presence.

“This ‘call-out’ service is in addition to the regular monthly litter patrols we have.

“Residents can contact our StreetSmart team on 01793 445501 to report litter or buildings which have had offensive graffiti daubed on them.”