A PENSIONER is waging war against litterbugs and abandoned estate agent boards by leaving piles of rubbish everywhere.

It may sound a bizarre way to tackle the issue, but Norman Smith decided that presenting people with what they abandon might shame them into clearing up after themselves.

Mr Smith, of Macaulay Close, Kings Meadow, set himself to a “two-day campaign” to make people aware of the rubbish cluttering Bicester’s streets.

The 72-year-old set out on Sunday and Monday and gathered bags of rubbish that had been strewn over an eight-mile route.

To make his point, the retired pilot then left them in piles around the town to show people just how much they chuck away.

The avid walker said: “I am absolutely disgusted by the number of drinks cans and bottles littering the streets.

“I knew there was an enormous amount of litter but found much more than I imagined, mainly cans and drinks bottles where people throw them out the car window or children drop them to and from school.

“So I decided to do a two-day campaign so that people can see them. Last year I picked up the odd can or two while out walking but nobody knew so this year I thought I would make a public spectacle. I am a one-man band.”

Mr Smith said his campaign has worked in some areas, such as Bure Park, where its rubbish pile was cleared in 24 hours.

Mr Smith walks five times a week, totalling 3,000 miles a year.

While out walking last week the pensioner spotted Cherwell District Council doing a litter blitz in Kings Meadow, inspiring him to do something about the issue himself.

He said: “I have pulled things out of hedgerows eight miles around the town. There is nothing like direct action.

“I want to educate people to take responsibility because at the moment people just throw things out their windows and litter the countryside.”

Bad areas were Skimmingdish Lane, Middleton Stoney Road and Fringford Road, Caversfield.

Mr Smith is also angry about discarded for sale signs littering the streets of the town.

Bicester town councillor Nick Cotter said: “Langford Village Community Association and Bicester Town Council have endeavoured to politely ask estate agents not to put up boards on the ring road areas.

“I have not found in my patch a huge issue with litter, but more the ‘for sale’ signs which get snapped and then dumped.”

Cherwell District Council spokeswoman Jemma Callow said: “The council’s street cleansing teams have a rota for cleaning the district – including this area. However the size of the district and limited resources means our operatives cannot be everywhere on a daily basis.

“While some littering is accidental, most of the problem stems from individuals who show a blatant disregard by deliberately littering.

“Unfortunately due to the actions of the minority, the problem is ongoing, albeit one that is entirely avoidable if people dispose of rubbish correctly to begin with.”