DISCARDED trolleys, condom wrappers and dog faeces littered along the Castleman Trailway in Ringwood have left walkers "disgusted".

According to Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society, Waymark, the Avon Valley Path at Fordingbridge that runs behind the church and comes out at Bickton is "absolutely full of dog mess".

Waymark publicity officer, Joy Tosdevin, said: "The old railway line is a very popular walk and this just ruins it."

Simon Stockdale, who was walking his dog on Castleman Trailway last week, said the stretch of the former old railway line alongside the River Avon is littered with rubbish and dog mess.

"I was shocked," he said.

"It is such a lovely part of the town and I can't believe that firstly some dog walkers do not clear up after their pets and secondly that New Forest district council are not taking responsibility in picking up this litter."

On Monday, June 18, Marilyn Husbands, also walking along the beauty spot said she spotted a Waitrose shopping trolley abandoned in the river and two further trolleys dumped on Bickerley Green.

"People need to look after our environment and this sort of behaviour shows a lack of respect for wildlife and residents," she said.

A New Forest district council environmental health officer told the Forest Journal that it had no jurisdiction to enforce dog fouling on Hampshire county council land.

However, he said that as part of the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act it was starting consultations with town and parish councils.

The county council recently funded two benches, which have been placed along Castleman Trailway.

But dog mess and condom wrappers have reportedly been littered around both beauty spots.

A Hampshire county council spokesperson said: "We're looking into this matter to find out what, if anything, we can do.

"However, dog walkers are ultimately responsible for clearing up after their pets and we would encourage all dog owners to clear up their dogs' mess when they are out in public spaces."

A Ringwood town council spokeswoman said: "We have looked at putting a bin at the centre and basically it came down to resources and we agreed not to at the time.

"We want Hampshire county council to place another bin along this stretch and we would pay for emptying and its maintenance, but nothing has been decided at this time."

A Waitrose spokesperson said: "We immediately respond to any calls we get notifying us of discarded trolleys and would encourage people to contact the branch should they find a Waitrose trolley so we can come and collect it.

"We continue to work with the community in this way and each day a Waitrose partner will allocate time to retrieving our trolleys as part of their duties."