PEOPLE are being urged to clean up their rubbish after photographs showed Edinburgh’s Meadows covered in litter following sunny weather in the city.

Author Ian Rankin shared pictures of the park, which he was out for a walk in just after 7am. His photographs showed plastic bags, tins of beer, empty bottles of fizzy juice and ice lolly packets strewn across the grass.

The writer also shared pictures of bins overflowing with pizza boxes and glass spirit bottles.

Rankin posted a little later this morning to show council workers cleaning up the mess left on the Meadows, leaving the spot clean and tidy by 8.15am.

However, he expected the mess was likely to be left again following another sunny day: “Nice until the tribes start gathering again at lunchtime,” he said.

The author’s pictures sparked fury from Scots, who were disgusted by the scenes. “If you want more rats with your summer picnics keep on doing this,” SNP councillor Mhairi Hunter commented.

Meanwhile, @Tallah said those leaving the rubbish behind were an “embarrassment” to the city.

“Please pick up your s*** and take it with you, it’s really not that hard!!”

Writer WG Saraband reminded Twitter users of Edinburgh’s old nickname. “Edinburgh used to be called the Auld Reekie due to a mix of smog with the smells of the stagnant Nor’ Loch, the body of water that existed in today’s Princes Street Gardens and which had sewage drained into it.

“Don’t make Edinburgh reek again. Clean after yourselves.”

The photographs of the litter were retweeted hundreds of times, including by Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf.

Across the UK people based near parks and beauty spots have complained about litter being left during lockdown.

This morning representatives of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park have written to the Scottish Government to complain of littering in the area, as well as people using public places as a toilet while public facilities remain closed.