AN AREA of Fishguard highlighted as a rubbish hotspot was targeted at the first meeting of the town's new Litter Bugs group last Saturday.

The group has been set up by Fishguard mum Nicki Stone. Last weekend it cleared up the area around the school and leisure centre, filling eight bags of litter in one and a half hours.

In his annual report to the Fishguard and Goodwick Community Forum last January, Cllr Myles Pepper, reporting for the environmental group, said these were problem areas in the town.

Speaking earlier this year, Ysgol Bro Gwaun headteacher, Paul Edwards, defended the school, saying that staff and students were particularly proud of their new buildings and grounds and contributed positively to ensuring the immediate surroundings were litter free.

Nicki said she set up the Litter Bugs group after getting fed up with litter on her daily dog walks around Fishguard.

“One weekend I met these ladies in their 70s, they had dogs and were picking up litter while they walked. I though if they can do it so should I, but I also thought why should they be picking up litter? They should be enjoying their walk.”

Nicki put out feelers on social media and the Litter Bugs group was formed. On Saturday the group cleared the car parks and paths around the leisure centre and school.

Nicki is hoping that the group will grow and that its efforts may inspire others to change their habits and pick up after themselves.

“We need to start educating the young to pick up litter and have respect for the environment,” she said. “Let’s make Fishguard a place to be proud of.”