A SOUTHAMPTON-WIDE clean-up will take place this spring.

The Junior Neighbourhood Wardens and community litter picking groups will team up for the clean-up, which is part of the Great British Spring Clean campaign.

Housing areas in Golden Grove, East Meggesson Avenue in Townhill, and the wider Lordswood area, will receive a tidy-up on April 16, 17 and 18 by the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens.

Different community groups will also undertake litter picks in different areas of Southampton, with eleven groups already registered on the Keep Britain Tidy website.

Southampton cabinet member for transport and public realm, Jacqui Rayment, said: “It’s a great shame that a small number of people drop their rubbish rather than finding he nearest wast or recycling bin, or taking it home with them.

“We’ve heard so much in the media recently about the negative impact we’re having on our environment.

“The litter picks organised by community groups are fantastic gestures of goodwill that help council services to tackle this problem.”

As well as helping their local community and the environment, the young wardens will be undertaking an Easter egg hunt at the same, which will help them find litter far and wide.

Cabinet member for homes and culture, Satvir Kaur, said: “It is encouraging to see future generations be part of the solution to our environmental issues, and I’m pleased that our Junior Neighbourhood Wardens are taking an active role in this.”

Many community litter-picking groups receive funding from businesses and individuals to help pay for vital equipment, bags and high vis vests, or to help promote events and help get local residents involved.

Leaders Estate Agents in Ocean Village are also holding a litter pick at Chessel Bay Nature Reserve on March 30.

Richard Semedo, sales manager at the branch, said: “We at Leaders felt compelled to raise awareness of the event when we heard about it. Not only from a corporate social responsibility level, but simply from a moral obligation to the environment. The litter in this area can quite easily get washed out to sea, ultimately ending up in the oceans.”