Keep Britain Tidy told to 'bin the filth' over poster campaign

The Keep Britain Tidy campaign should take its own advice and "bin the filth" by removing posters which use "offensive" sexual innuendo, campaigners said today.

The posters - which use phrases including "trim my bush", "see the size of our Fanny's", and "Are you a dirty Chucker?" - were "offensive and inappropriate", the Plain English Campaign said.

They are part of Keep Britain Tidy's "youth litter" campaign and are marked as appropriate for anyone over the age of 15.

"This one belongs right in the bin," a spokeswoman for the Plain English Campaign said.

"This might be considered plain-talking by some, and humour is often a good way to get a message across, but most people who have seen them can't believe they are real.

"Others simply don't understand what the slang references have to do with the serious issues of health and our environment.

"We advise the Keep Britain Tidy team to take their own advice and bin the filth."

Chrissie Maher, founder of the Plain English Campaign added: "As a woman, a grandmother and a tax-payer I am offended, disappointed and disgusted to find that such a worthy cause considers this language suitable for public information."

One of the posters, of which 5,000 are in stock, shows two naked pensioners gardening with the words: "I've had more time to trim my bush since he stopped dropping rubbish."

Another, of which 2,500 are in stock, shows two women holding bins below the quote: "If you think my bin's big, you should see the size of our Fanny's."

Other posters, marked 18+, state: "I'm ready & willing this Christmas - make me dirty" while another says: "Fill me this Christmas - I can't get enough".

Others show a woman either kneeling down exposing her cleavage or reclining in lingerie while holding an empty beer can with the words: "While you're down there".

A Keep Britain Tidy spokeswoman said the posters were originally launched in early 2000 as a "a very targeted way of communicating with young adults".

She said: "It is our responsibility to engage with all sectors of society about the issue of litter, and this means that we have to be as innovative and creative as possible to target even the most illusive of groups, who do not respond to mainstream campaigns, but are key to creating a generation who do not throw litter."

The Keep Britain Tidy spokeswoman added: "The posters are specifically aimed at young people over the age of 18 and they aim to raise the issue of litter in a cheeky and humorous way.

"They have never been used as adverts and are only available to individuals who order them through Keep Britain Tidy.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that we are using the most effective methods to raise awareness of litter to people of all ages and we always base our actions on research.

"The posters are nearly 10 years old but remain popular today as their cult style and non-patronising tone can still deliver important messages about litter and society that is particularly relevant to a younger, but sophisticated audience."