A fly-tipped mattress prompted two public-spirited people to take it upon themselves to clear up the verges of a road that passes their rural home on the outskirts of Keswick.
Self-employed gardener Louise Ratcliffe, who lives in a flat at Goosewell Farm, near Castlerigg Stone Circle, and her neighbour Jack Beament were moved to take action after discovering the discarded mattress near to Naddle Bridge on Tuesday morning.
The disgusted pair rolled up their sleeves later in the day and headed out to clear up the detritus left behind by motorists and walkers who regularly travel up and down the Burns Road.
Another neighbour, Alison Crozier, picked up the mattress and put it on a bonfire while Louise and Jack cleared up eight bin bags full of rubbish.
They collected 60 empty bottles of beer and cider along with vodka and whisky bottles from a lay-by which Louise says is regularly used by youngsters.
Also among their haul of waste were two patio chairs screwed to a large board, paint trays and a window cleaner’s belt. There was also dog and human faeces covered in tissue paper.
“It’s really annoying, so disrespectful and just pure laziness,” said Louise. “If you are going to go somewhere that looks nice, why would you wind down your window and throw rubbish out?
“Some people have zero respect for the beautiful area we are fortunate to live in.
“I’m sure if the police drove round there and breathalysed the parked up cars they would catch some drink drivers.”
Mrs Ratcliffe said that the incident was not reported to Allerdale Borough Council and they took it upon themselves to carry out the clean up.
A council spokesperson said they would encourage people to report such incidents to the local authority via the My Allerdale mobile app or by visiting the council’s website.
