SOUTHAMPTON community litter picking groups are joining forces once again for a city wide clean-up as part of this year’s Great British Spring Clean campaign

The campaign runs between March 20 and April 13, and is all about "Keeping Britain Tidy" by residents organising litter picks and helping their community keep tidy.

Many community groups already run regular litter picks in different areas of Southampton throughout the year, with lots of these groups putting on events during this campaign, while Southampton City Council is also encouraging other individuals or groups to organise new events.

The Weston shore area, for example, will receive a tidy-up on the April 16, ran by the Junior Neighbourhood Wardens, as they aim to remove as much litter from the area as possible.

Cabinet Member for Place and Transport, Councillor Jacqui Rayment said: “It’s a great shame that a small number of people drop their rubbish rather than finding the nearest waste 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.”

People looking to organise litter picking events should register them on the ‘Host a Clean-Up’ section on the Keep Britain Tidy website and some community groups can receive funding to help pay for vital equipment, bags and high vis vests, or to simply help to promote events and help to get local residents involved.

Cabinet Member for Homes and Culture, Councillor 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. We are keen that the city is kept clean and green, and this initiative is a great way to help do this.”

Southampton City Council can help events run by loaning equipment such as litter pickers and hoops, supplying rubbish bags, loaning hi viz vests if litter picking is taking place near roads, providing safety information and collecting bags of litter after the event

To request assistance, email parksvolunteers@southampton.gov.uk, and let them know the date and location of your proposed litter pick.

The council will then get back to you to confirm if the equipment is available and arrange collection.