The RSPCA has received almost 13,000 reports about animals found severely injured, trapped, mutilated, choked or even dead from carelessly discarded litter over the past four years.

In Berkshire alone, 161 callouts have been made to animals in need, including hedgehogs, deer and foxes.

The shocking new data also reveals that it received an average of 13 reports per day last year during the peak months of May, June, July and August when there is a particular litter hazard for animals.

Now the RSPCA is urging people to help "create a better world for every animal" by getting involved in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean’ which lasts until March 31.

Individuals, groups or schools can pledge their support - and say how many bags of litter they intend to pick up - with more than 400,000 collected in total last year.  

Distressing incidents dealt with by the RSPCA include a hedgehog entangled in old barbed wire, a fox cub with litter caught around his neck, a goose with an old drink can stuck to her lower beak and a Great Black Backed Gull whose leg became almost completely detached due to old fishing line cutting in. 

Amongst mammals, litter-related reports to the RSPCA were highest for foxes, hedgehogs and deer, while among wild birds, swans, pigeons and gulls bore the greatest brunt of discarded rubbish. The RSPCA even received reports of family pets such as cats and dogs being affected by litter.

RSPCA anti-litter campaigns manager Carrie Stones said: “Our rescuers deal with thousands of avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter.

“Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife - including hedgehogs, deer and foxes. Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death. 

“Sadly, for every animal we’re able to help there are probably many others that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives."

People are not only encouraged to go out on litter picks, people are urged to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly - or recycle where appropriate. 

As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line, hooks and plastic netting.

Around 40 per cent of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter.

The RSPCA says a majority of anglers are careful when fishing - but a small number are letting the community down by not disposing of their waste properly and leaving animals in danger. 

The RSPCA is also warning that discarded biodegradable food litter also poses dangers - putting many animals at risk of road traffic collisions. 

Carrie said: “Many will be surprised that biodegradable food litter can be as dangerous to animals as other litter. If an apple core or fruit peel is thrown from a passing vehicle or discarded by the roadside, it can attract many kinds of wildlife - from mammals to birds - and put them in danger of passing vehicles.”

The RSPCA urges anyone who finds a small sick or injured wild animal to take it to the vets, so they can get help quickly.