THE streets of Salisbury had more abandoned supermarket shopping trolleys on them over the festive season than were inside the stores, according to one district councillor.

Councillor Jeremy Nettle claimed Christmas and the New Year in Salisbury created "abandoned trolley mayhem" on the streets and pavements.

He has urged supermarkets to make a New Year resolution and recover their trolleys quickly.

Mr Nettle, councillor for St Mark's ward and Stratford, said the long-awaited coin-operated trolley system, agreed between the district council and the supermarkets, would not be implemented until the spring.

He told the Journal: "The abandoning of trolleys over the Christmas and New Year period dramatically increased.

"In the main, these were from Tesco and Sainsbury's, with a few appearing from Waitrose and even stores on the Southampton Road, such as B&Q.

"The holiday period saw an unprecedented number of trolleys dumped on our streets, specifically along Castle Street, along the river and in the vicinity of Waitrose car park."

Mr Nettle said he had heard that the regular collection of abandoned trolleys by Tesco had ceased, but this was denied this week by the supermarket chain.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said its trolley recovery vehicle was still operating and if anyone saw an abandoned trolley they should ring the store and it would be collected.

She said: "We understand the concerns and know there are problems.

"Our recovery vehicle is still operating and the public should ring the store if they see an abandoned trolley that our collection service may have missed."

Mr Nettle said there would be no excuse for trolleys dumped on pavements or rivers once the coin-operated trolley system came into force.

Special corrals will be set up in city car parks, where trolleys must be left .

He said: "Until then, I am asking all supermarkets to be far more proactive in recovering their trolleys."