BEST-SELLING author Bill Bryson is trying to kick-start a campaign to tackle the increase in litter dumped at beauty spots across the New Forest.

The writer of modern classics such as Notes From a Small Island and A Short History of Nearly Everything has written to the New Forest Park Authority about the problem and is calling on like-minded people to support his campaign.

Forest authority bosses say that they share the author's concerns about the problem, and claim that they have been talking to him about supporting local litter awareness initiatives.

Mr Bryson revealed his "obsession" about local litter during a charity event at Bournemouth University earlier this week.

The former local resident said that he was visiting the area with his wife recently, going to all their favourite old haunts, when they noticed the increase in litter.

"The Forest should be a showcase, but there's an awful lot of litter everywhere," he said. "One place where there was a lot was the road from Lyndhurst to Christchurch, so I have written to the park authority.

"Litter makes me really mad. People don't seem to want to take responsibility.

"I'm trying to find like-minded people and get publicity about the problem."

Martin O'Neill, head of communication at the authority, said: 'The National Park Authority shares Bill Bryson's concern about litter in the New Forest. It is unsightly and unhealthy.

"We support the efforts of New Forest District Council, the Forestry Commission and others who are working hard to raise awareness of the problem and to tackle it.

"In fact, in the light of Bill Bryson's interest in the subject, we have been talking to him recently about supporting the various litter awareness initiatives in the New Forest in the future."