A LIFELONG Farnham resident and neighbour of Gostrey Meadow has launched a furious tirade against a group of “lazy indisciplined yobs” she believes are responsible for leaving behind a deluge of litter at the popular park on an almost nightly basis.

The former bank manager, who asked to remain anonymous for fear the litter louts might track her down, contacted the Herald while watching a mother and her two young children playing among rubbish discarded the night before at the meadow.

She told the Herald: “Every evening I watch a group of around 15 to 20 15-year-olds sitting on the walls near the bridge in Gostrey Meadow and you should see the mess the lazy indiscipline yobs leave behind every morning - there’s a bin, completely empty 4ft away from where they sit! It’s the same kids each night. They have no respect or regard for this beautiful spot that so many people enjoy.

“I live opposite, and see the joy and pleasure the park gives people, and the work Waverley Borough Council puts into maintaining the gardens. But nobody is doing anything about it, what can I do? I haven’t seen a policeman in the meadow in 10 years, and rang the police but just got three answer-phone messages. I’m disappointed that nobody has done anything about it.”

The Herald visited the meadow shortly after the ex-bank manager’s rant, and posted several photos of the litter strewn across the meadow on Facebook.This included used nappies and empty cans of lager discarded just feet from the River Wey, and the photos were met with widespread disgust by followers of the Herald’s page.

“I wonder if these people would litter their sitting rooms or gardens like this?”, questioned one Facebook user, Helen Van Dongen. “They should at least pick it up and put it in a bag! What is wrong with people?”

Kim Goodchild added: “My son litter picks also in the river as he doesn’t want the ducks getting hurt. If the bins are full we take our litter with us, it doesn’t hurt.”

Another park user, Theresa Meredith-Hardy, also expressed dismay at Farnham’s litter problem on Facebook and, inspired by the sight of playgrounds covered in rubbish, has organised a litter picking event at Gostrey Meadow on August 16, commencing at 10am.

“I’m not trying to make this into a military operation, just a nice Thursday morning activity that should do a bit of good as well,” she said.

After the event local business owner Chris Mole has offered to buy everyone ice creams, and Tony Fresko’s ice-cream van will be attending too.Litter picking equipment will be kindly provided by Waverley Borough Council, which is responsible for maintaining Gostrey Meadow.

There is no specific target area but Theresa asks people to “just try and tidy up anywhere that needs it”.

Responding, a Waverley council spokesman said: “The council hasn’t received any reports of this issue from members of the public but will speak to its grounds contractor to find out more and monitor the situation.

“We encourage people to let us know if they notice issues in our parks by visiting www.waverley.gov.uk/report-it, emailing [email protected] or by calling 01483 523 394.

“If we receive regular reports of issues we can use this information to liaise with our police colleagues to see if increased patrols can be carried out.”