An influx of visitors to Kent’s nature havens has seen dog poo, graffiti and rubbish dumped across various sites.

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) says it has had to spend hundreds of pounds to clean up the mess after the warmer weather saw hundreds flocking to tranquil spaces and creating problems for wildlife.

Flytipping was left at Holborough Marshes in Snodland, and damage was made by BBQs, which are banned, in Blue Bell Hill in Maidstone.

As well as this, fencing was damaged by quadbikes at Nashenden Down in Rochester, and graffiti was left at Darland Banks in Gillingham.

Discarded balloons were left at Oare Marches in Faversham and dog poo bags were dumped at Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate.

People were also reportedly ignoring restricted areas at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay, which led to wildlife being disturbed.

KWT manages more than 90 nature reserves for wildlife in Kent, and says the warmer weather has resulted in the rise of rubbish being left.

Charlotte Lewis, from KWT, said: “We appreciate that many people want to enjoy the beauty of nature in our green spaces, however, we have noticed an increase in the amount of litter and disturbance at our sites.

“When visiting a nature reserve, please leave no trace and take your rubbish home.

“We are in the midst of a biodiversity emergency and these spaces are desperately needed by our wildlife, a nature haven is not the place for BBQs, parties, or releasing balloons.

“Our sites are home to over 800 grazing animals, and their wellbeing is compromised by ingesting rubbish or getting hurt by it.

“We take reports of criminal behaviour, such as graffiti and vandalism, seriously and report all incidents to the police.

“These incidents cost the trust thousands and could better be used to protect and restore nature.

“People who want to help can do so by supporting our 'Nature Nightmares' Campaign, which helps cover the expenses caused by this irresponsible behaviour.”

Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity with more than 31,000 members and more than 1000 registered volunteers.

It manages and protect more than 9000 acres of land across more than 90 different sites and nature reserves, alongside three visitor centres.