CONCERNS for the safety of wildlife have been raised by a walker who spotted a discarded face mask dangling from a hedge.

Beverley Taylor, 60, of Royal Wootton Bassett was in Woodshaw when she made the discovery.

She said: “There were also five bins nearby, and that person could have put it in the bin instead.

“It’s not only a worry for us, but it’s also the wildlife too and what it’s doing to them.

"The straps could be a choking hazard. I think maybe the Government could encourage people to stop buying these disposable ones and get the masks that you have to wash.”

Beverley posted the picture on Facebook, and she received support from others in the town who have also noticed the problem.

Now she is urging people to dispose of their masks properly or to invest in reusable masks.

“I think it’s all over. I work in Swindon, and when I come out of work, I see them all on the floor.

"Again, it’s just people can’t be bothered with them," she said. "But what I don’t think they realise is that people can’t just pick up after them because the masks might have the virus on them."