TAKEAWAYS may generate a lot of litter but staff from three burger outlets in Basingstoke have been helping to clean up with neighbourhood campaigners.

McDonald’s franchisee Tony Bennett and crew from three Basingstoke McDonald’s restaurants joined the Fairfields Green Group and Brookvale Litter Pickers for two tidiness operations.

They helped the Green Group with digging, pruning and litter-picking at Fairfields School’s allotment, armed with spades, shears, bags and litter-pickers.

Less than a week later, they joined in the Three Park Litter Picking Challenge with Friends of Loddon Vale Parks and the Brookvale Litter Pickers. All three of the Brookvale parks underwent a clean-up.

McDonald’s worked with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to identify the projects and areas that could benefit best from their support.

Mr Bennett said it had been very enjoyable to make a positive difference.

He added: “Unfortunately, there are still a significant proportion of people who think it’s acceptable to drop litter. It’s everyone’s responsibility and through these events we want to generate awareness of the issue and encourage them to be more responsible.

“I’d like to thank Basingstoke council, Fairfields Green Group, Friends of Loddon Vale Parks and the Brookvale Litter Pickers for enabling us get involved in the activity, and my staff for volunteering for such a good local cause. It’s vital that we all do our bit to tackle the issue.”