A PICTURESQUE village in the New Forest is being left strewn with rubbish on collection days as ponies and donkeys are getting into bin bags left at the roadside.

Bransgore resident Kate White captured this picture on her way to work through Thorney Hill.

It has become a regular occurrence because New Forest residents do not have wheelie bins. Despite reporting the issue to the council, Kate says nothing is being done to sort the problem.

She is also concerned the animals are ingesting dangerous plastics and poisonous foods while rummaging through the bags.

“It’s really sad and so surprising this carries on week after week. I travel to Holmsley for work, and regularly on a Monday I come across ponies and donkeys eating rubbish on School Road in Thorney Hill. I’m sure it happens in other areas too.”

She added: “I’ve notified the council about it three times already and they say they will pass it on to the refuse team. But it’s disappointing because the council doesn’t do anything about it. I don’t know why residents don’t have wheelie bins, and I don’t know if they have to clear all the rubbish up or if it’s the binmen who do it.”

No one was available for a comment from New Forest District Council.

However, on its website, the council states: “If you are concerned that birds or animals will tear open bags, you can place the bags in a dustbin at the boundary of your property. Your collection team will take the sacks and replace the lids. Do not leave your rubbish in a wheelie bin for collection as it will not be taken. If you have a wheelie bin, please remove your rubbish sacks before collection. Your rubbish is your responsibility before it has been collected; if animals do split the bags then you are responsible for clearing it up.”