An image of a giant woodpecker has appeared in the countryside to highlight a regional publisher’s campaign against littering.

The biodegradable artwork, which also features face masks, has been created on a field in the Chiltern Hills to promote ‘Don’t Trash Our Future’ campaign, which is being run by Reach plc’s hyperlocal news service In Your Area.

The lesser spotted woodpecker was chosen as the mascot for the campaign because it is an endangered bird found in the Chilterns and is widely acknowledged as an “ecosystem engineer” that helps the environment around it.

The artwork has been created with the support of campaign group Clean Up Britain and The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust.

The campaign is calling on the UK Government to increase fixed penalty notices for littering to £1,000, or 100 hrs community litter picking, and to make it compulsory for every local authority in Britain to enforce the law.

Ed Walker, Editor-in-Chief for InYourArea said, “Covid-19 should have given everybody the opportunity to reflect upon the beauty of nature and wildlife.

“Sadly some people are still unwilling to take responsibility for their actions.

“Sign the Don’t Trash our Future petition to get the Government to ensure councils impose a fixed penalty so we can enjoy everything that nature and wildlife have to offer now and for generations to come.”