Southampton father of two Steve Gregory is the pick of the litter-pickers around his neighbourhood.

Steve is regularly seen clearing up refuse around his home, often spending hours a day on his passion for making Portswood a cleaner place to live.

Mr Gregory, a former University College London lecturer, was seriously injured in a motorbike accident in 1984.

For the past five years Steve has cleared St Denys Road, and the surrounding area, of litter dropped by passers by and drivers.

On average he collects two full carrier bags a day, separating ordinary rubbish from that which can be recycled.

In order not to overload his bins at home the 53-year-old distributes the rubbish around public bins, filling them to the brim.

Passion Steve's passion for litter-picking has gone so far his doctor advised him to have a series of injections to combat any diseases he may pick up from the refuse.

He refuses to wear gloves on his trips out and doesn't use a grabber as he finds it a lot easier to pick the litter up with his bare hands.

The hobby' has quickly become obsession and his mum Billie says: "Wherever he goes he can't resist picking it up."

Steve was set for a career in science after studying at the University of Southampton and receiving a first class honours degree.

Dr Gregory was on his way to deliver just his fourth lecture in the capital when a motorist lost control and drove into the right side of his body.

Steve spent 18 months in hospital before eventually returning to Southampton where he began a long process of recovery.

Steve said: "I can't say I like picking up rubbish, I just don't like to see it about.

"I normally do it when walking to get my paper in the morning, then I walk down to Cobden Bridge and clear up around there. I just get in the habit of picking up rubbish, anywhere I go I just have to pick it up."

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