Coun Richard Cooper, Cabinet Member responsible for parks has led the campaign for extra clean ups.

Coun Cooper said: "One of the big issues in the doorstep over recent months has been the increase in litter on the Stray – particularly at weekends. There is a clear need to take action and from this weekend we are increasing the Stray's litter patrols on weekends.

"Harrogate repeatedly wins plaudits for the high quality of its open spaces and flower displays making the town a mecca for tourists and a beautiful place in which to live. A few people dropping large amounts of litter run the risk of ruining that reputation particularly as the Britain in Bloom season approaches.

"Litter is the fault of those who drop it – not of those who clear it up. Alongside the new clean ups the council is doing I want parents and teachers to speak to children about the importance of protecting our natural environment as well as the sheer cost of collecting litter. No-one should forget that taxpayers foot the bill.

"The issue is not exclusively confined to young people, we must all set an example to one another and dispose of our litter responsibly."

The extra Stray litter collection will start at 7.30am on Saturdays and Sundays. It began last weekend.