The RSPB has been accused of neglecting two of its nature reserves in favour of the one used on BBC Springwatch. 

The bird charity has been accused of focusing its time and money on RSPB Arne, the Dorset site where Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan regularly host the acclaimed wildlife show.

But the RSPB has caused anger after it announced it would cutback on its resources at two nearby wetland locations, Radipole and Lodmoor.

It is getting rid of eight wooden viewing platforms that ornithologists stand on to get a better view of birds like lapwings and marsh harriers.

The charity, which, according to its most recent annual report, has an annual income of £195million, claims it can't afford the £100,000 to replace the structures and they must come down before they become a health and safety hazard.

Continued work to cut back brambles and vegetation on footpaths around RSPB Lodmoor and RSPB Radipole in Weymouth will also stop, meaning they will soon become impassable to visitors.

This will save the charity between £5,000 and £10,000 a year.

Teams of volunteers who dedicate their time clearing both sites of litter say the news is a kick in the teeth.

The RSPB has been accused of focusing its time and money on RSPB Arne, the Dorset site where Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan regularly host the acclaimed wildlife show

But the RSPB has caused anger after it announced it would cutback on its resources at two nearby wetland locations, Radipole (pictured) and Lodmoor

Dave Taylor, who volunteers at RSPB Radipole, said: 'We have been down there for over four years and in that time the site has gone downhill.

'It's continually strewn with rubbish, including shopping trolleys, traffic cones and bikes.

'We have invested a lot of time trying to keep Radipole lake litter free.

'The RSPB don't seem to care about Radipole and Lodmoor, they just seem to focus on Arne.

'The attention given to the reserve has visibly decreased over the past few years with the RSPB more focused on Arne.

'They regularly post on Facebook things that are happening at Arne but they never acknowledge or share the volunteer work at Lodmoor and Radipole.'

Mr Taylor said the decision 'not to bother cutting back vegetation and keeping the paths is the final straw'.

'Ten thousand pounds is what they will save a year by not doing that. It is a drop in the ocean compared to the £175million a year they bring in,' he said.

'They must get some money from the BBC for all the filming they do at RSPB Arne. You would think that would filter down to other sites, but it doesn't.'

Mr Taylor said the RSPB should now hand over the running of the sites at Lodmoor and Radipole to the local wildlife trust or Dorset Council.