THE NUMBER of animals affected by plastic litter in West Yorkshire is at an all-time high, according to new RSPCA data.

Over the past four years the RSPCA has recorded 396 incidents about animals involved with litter in Yorkshire and Humber - with 117 involving plastic.

Across the country the animal welfare charity has recorded a rise in incidents affecting animals involving plastic litter from 473 in 2015 to 579 in 2018, bucking a downward trend for all types of litter from 4,968 in 2015 to 4,579 in 2018.

There has been a fourfold rise in seals affected by incidents involving plastic litter in England and Wales with 28 incidents recorded in 2018 compared to just 5 in 2015.

Adam Grogan, RSPCA Head of Wildlife, said: "This shocking rise in plastic litter incidents suggests that plastic is a growing threat to animals."