'If you can bring litter to the Dales, you can take it away'

It is an iconic hiking route showing off Yorkshire's beauty from three of its highest peaks. The 24-mile (38.6km) Yorkshire Three Peaks walk, with its 5000ft (1600m) of vertical ascent, is undertaken by tens of thousands of people every year.

But those living near the route - which climbs Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent - have reported issues such as overcrowding, problem parking and public urination for many years.

A new campaign has now been started by a group of Brownies and Guides, tackling another common complaint - litter.

"It's just annoying because people should take it home with them," says nine-year-old Ivy.

On a litter-picking trip next to the Ribblehead Viaduct, she found cigarette butts, paper cups and food wrappers.

Ruth, also nine, found "loads of litter", including "the occasional dog poo".

The campaign has also included designing posters and asking residents and business-owners to display them, by holding stalls at markets in nearby towns such as Settle.

Seeing the posters in the community is "really encouraging", Ivy adds.

Allanna and Nala, both 12, helped to create campaign videos, including interviewing professionals impacted by litter in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A vet explained "how they have to treat the animals who have had plastic got in them or they've eaten something they're not supposed to", Allanna says.

She adds: "It's a bit upsetting because you think that we're all together on not leaving litter."

Asked for her message to walkers on the Yorkshire Three Peaks route, Nala says: "If you can bring it here, you can take it home."

Flo, 10, says litter-picking "feels bad when you find it because you shouldn't be finding things like that".

"But then it also feels good that we're picking it up because we're doing a good thing for the planet," she says.

"People should just take it home," adds eight-year-old Georgie.

Jill Crowson, who runs the 1st Clapham and Austwick Brownies and Guides, says the amount of litter in the area is "absolutely terrible".

"We live right in the middle of the Yorkshire Three Peaks," she says.

"Every time I take the dog out for a walk, we are picking up rubbish."

As well as litter-picking, poster designs and creating campaign videos with the charity Settle Stories, the girls have learnt about litter and how long it takes to decompose.

They have also written to local councils and created "litter hero" badges that they can wear at school, Jill adds.

The children have written a pledge for people to sign, committing to actions like using reusable bottles and lunchboxes and protecting wildlife.

"We are trying to spread the word round local people, our parents and local supporters, so sign up and share it with other people," Jill says.

"It's all our responsibility to take [litter] home with us, not just leave it to the people that are picking it up."

Fellow leader Katie Hawkins says the girls have been on a "fantastic journey" since work on the campaign started in January.

"It's been really nice to see them develop the confidence," she says.

"Some of the quieter, smaller Brownies have all come out and been going round to the shops talking to people about what we're up to and what they've done."

The Brownies and Guides have held stalls at markets across the area, promoting the campaign.

It has also been supported by North Yorkshire Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

"While most visitors respect the environment, litter remains an issue on footpaths, verges and in villages," says YDNPA.

"By signing the pledge, you'll be supporting local young people who are passionate about protecting the landscapes we all enjoy."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.