MORE than 100 animals were affected by litter in Hampshire last year, new figures have revealed.

Data released by the RSPCA has shown that the charity received 119 calls about animals trapped, hurt or killed by discarded rubbish in 2020.

Despite people being in lockdown for many months the RSPCA still received more than 10 calls a day about animals affected by litter.

The calls included a duck tangled in a medical face mask, a baby hedgehog with plastic wrapped around her throat, a fox with his head caught in an old Cornish pasty wrapper, and a gannet entangled in plastic.

Now the animal welfare charity is calling on the public to do their bit and join the Great British Spring Clean.

Across the UK, the RSPCA took nearly 4,000 calls regarding wildlife affected by litter.

The animal welfare charity is urging people to help protect animals by picking up any litter they see lying around as well as ensuring they take their litter home with them or disposing of it properly and responsibly.

Head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department Adam Grogan said: “Our staff deal with thousands of incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter - and they’re the ones that we know of.

"I’m sure for every animal we’re able to help there are many that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives.

“Litter is one of the biggest hazards our wildlife faces today and the pandemic has just added to the problem with many disposable masks just being discarded on the ground.

"These are a new danger to animals and we’ve been called out to rescue animals like ducks and gulls caught up in the masks’ elastic straps.

"That’s why we’re calling on the public to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean to help remove litter that may endanger animals.”

As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line and hooks to plastic netting.

Nearly 40 per cent of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter, from a seal being strangled by old fishing net to dozens of swans who swallowed or were pierced by old fishing hooks or became entangled in fishing line.

“If members of the public see discarded litter we would encourage them to pick it up safely and put it in the bin, remembering to wash their hands after," said Adam.

"Their action could save an animal’s life.”