'˜Get a life' says Portsmouth council leader after complaints over Southsea bandstand litter

It comes after yesterday’s report in The News about the mess left at Southsea Bandstand following a free gig over the weekend.

More than 12,000 people went to the concert on Sunday, – with some estimates saying almost 15,000 attended.

But a sea of junk was left strewn across the seaside beauty spot sparking fury from the council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and sport, Cllr Linda Symes.

She branded the situation ‘appalling’ and threatened a crackdown on offenders if the dumping continued.

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Video shows litter strewn over site

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But today council boss Donna Jones has hit back at the comments, saying people complaining about the litter ‘needed to get a life’.

She said: ‘I think Sunday’s event is one of the best things to have happened in Portsmouth for ages and long may it continue.

‘These people that are complaining need to get a life.

‘The litter was cleared up in two or three hours the next morning.

‘If that’s the price we have to pay for 15,000 hard working people from the city to bask on a beach that they may not have a chance to do very often because they’re working to pay their bills, then that’s worth paying.’

The gig, which featured a performance from Rhythm of the 90s, was staged by city promoter Nick Courtney.

He put out an appeal on social media for people to bring their own rubbish bags to future events.

And now a new sponsorship deal has been agreed to tackle future litter woes.

Solent Networks is providing free bin liners to revellers.

Mr Courtney, who is preparing for the next bandstand event this Sunday, is now urging for a city-wide litter awareness drive.

‘This is a nationwide issue that we need to fight,’ he said.