RSPCA Cymru has received more than 600 reports of animals found severely injured, trapped, mutilated, choked or even killed by carelessly discarded litter over the past four years in Wales.

The animal welfare charity said incidents it had dealt with included a hedgehog entangled in barbed wire, a fox cub with litter caught around its neck and a great black-backed gull whose leg was almost severed by a fishing line. 

RSPCA anti-litter campaigns manager Carrie Stones said: “Our rescuers deal with thousands of avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter. 

“Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife, including hedgehogs, deer and foxes.

“Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death.”

RSPCA Cymru is urging people in Wales to get involved in Keep Wales Tidy’s Spring Clean Cymru between March 15 and 31.