Thousands of red post office elastic bands are littering east Kent’s streets.

Alexander Bamfield, 13, collected more than 50 bands with a friend in just one hour.

His father Gerald, of Saddleton Road in Whitstable, says hundreds if not thousands of the bands are littering streets.

"It seems postmen are taking them off and just dropping them wherever they happen to be," said Mr Bamfield, 39.

"They are in gardens, on streets, just about anywhere postmen are delivering mail.

"In my mind it’s litter and it’s really starting to bother me."

Royal Mail switched to red bands in 2004 because they are easier to see on the floor.

Fixed penalty notice

Postmen littering roads with elastic bands could be fined if they are caught.

Canterbury city council spokesman Rob Davies said: "We could issue a fixed penalty notice on the individual postmen and, like any littering offence, would have to be witnessed.

"However, it’s not an issue we get many complaints about but if there is a problem then people need to report it."

Royal Mail uses 342 million red rubber bands annually and introduced them in 2004.

Spokesman Nick Martens said: "Royal Mail regularly stresses to its postmen and women the importance of avoiding litter and the vast majority of our rubber bands are recycled, with millions being re-used every week."