THOUGHTLESS people who dump litter pose an alarming and increasing threat to animals across Yorkshire and the North East, the RSPCA revealed today.

And Rawcliffe Lake, in York, has been identified as one of the region's litter blackspots.

Workers had to rescue 624 injured animals after litter-related accidents across the region last year.

This is a leap of 47 per cent in the region on the previous year - double the national increase of 23.5 per cent.

These alarming figures have prompted the RSPCA to launch a Lethal Litter campaign urging people across the country to dispose of rubbish properly and lobby local authorities and landowners to clean up litter blackspots.

The charity has identified litter blackspots across the country where RSPCA officers are repeatedly called to help animals in distress, and York has not escaped the criticism.

Incidents highlighted include a cygnet which had to be rescued from a lake last week after it became caught by a fishing hook and line, a duck with a hypodermic needle sticking out of its neck, small animals getting their heads stuck in tin cans and plastic bottles and a ewe getting entangled through the arm of a child's plastic chair while grazing.

Wild birds, water birds, hedgehogs and foxes are the worst-effected victims.

Dave Millard, superintendent for Yorkshire and the North East, said: "We are very disappointed by the unexplained leap in the number of animals coming into our care because of litter-related injuries.

"Not only is this distressing for the animals, but for the RSPCA officers who are spending more and more time dealing with incidents which are so easily avoidable.

"If people thought carefully before they dumped their rubbish, many animals would be saved from injury and death. A large proportion of the injuries are caused by carelessly-discarded plastic drinks can holders and fishing line and hooks."

Litter advice from the RSPCA:

- Cut open the loops on plastic binding which holds beer and soft drinks cans together so wildlife cannot get tangled up in them

- Remove the lids from yoghurt pots to stop small mammals getting their heads stuck inside

- Cut plastic bottles in half if you cannot recycle them so small animals like voles and mice cannot get trapped inside

- Dispose of broken glass carefully

- Tie a knot in plastic bags so animals cannot get inside them and suffocate

- Recycle cans or remove lids completely so animals do not get stuck inside them

- Take home unwanted fishing line and hooks

- Cut rubber bands so animals do not get caught up in them

- Don't take part in balloon releases as balloons often end up in the sea or fields, where animals mistake them for food

Updated: 12:30 Wednesday, July 11, 2001