Council staff are spending up to 12 hours a week cleaning up after litter bugs at a popular Aberdeenshire beauty spot.

Details of the drain on public funds emerged this week as councillors debated ways to tackle the ongoing issue at Haddo House and Balmedie beach.

Councillor Jim Gifford suggested that signs could explain the impact of littering on public life.

He said: “Whether it’s in bold figures or equate that to ‘we could employ seven primary school teachers if you take your litter home with you’ maybe that is a message that might resonate with people.”