IT'S an ongoing battle for Tadley's litter wardens as they take on the town's litter louts.

Dave Owen and Roy Martin both work for Tadley Town Council and spend every weekday morning scouring the town's streets for old cigarette packets, drinks bottles and newspapers.

The pair cover the whole town during their weekly patrols, and they also respond to calls from the public reporting specific litter problems.

Mr Martin said: "There is just no need for it. People don't seem to care. They just leave things everywhere. Sometimes it makes me angry, especially after we have cleaned up an area one day and we go back the next and all the rubbish is back. It's never ending."

Both Mr Martin and Mr Owen live in Tadley themselves, and said it gave them more pride in their work.

Mr Martin added: "I enjoy it because I know I am making a difference and I'm keeping Tadley clean.

"I think it's important to keep the area you live in tidy."

The wardens said that discarded takeaway packaging causes the main litter problem in Tadley. They highlighted the housing estate which includes Herriard Way and Farringdon Way as the most litter-strewn area, and said the north end of the town was the cleanest.

Mr Martin said: "We can pick up some odd things like trolleys, bicycle frames and even dirty nappies. I just don't understand how people can be so untidy."

Mr Owen has worked for the council for three years, patrolling the streets come rain or shine. Mr Martin is still quite new to the job as he took up the post just before Christmas.

He said: "I had had enough of being indoors. It's great to be out in the fresh air. We walk miles each day, which keeps us fit. And I'm much tidier at home now."