Fenland residents are being urged to join an army of ‘litter heroes’ next month as part of the country’s biggest ever litter campaign.

Volunteers are taking part in Keep Britain Tidy’s 2018 Great British Spring Clean from March 2 to 4 – and more are being encouraged to get involved.

Fenland District Council is backing the nationwide clean-up, which aims to bring around 500,000 people together to clear up litter.

Councillor Peter Murphy, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Making Fenland cleaner is something everyone who lives, works, learns or plays here contributes to.

“Our officers and dedicated volunteers do a great job cleaning our streets, but it is a constant battle with people carelessly and thoughtlessly dropping litter on a daily basis.

“Not only does the spring clean bring everyone together to tackle litter, it also raises awareness of how people should dispose of their litter properly.”

A number of Fenland’s Street Pride and In Bloom groups are planning litter picks for the campaign, and local schools and community groups are getting involved too.

On Friday March 2, Wisbech Street Pride will be teaming up with staff from Tesco for a joint litter pick, and have invited residents from Axiom Housing Association’s Wisbech Foyer to join them. They will be meeting at Chapel Road car park at 10am.

On the same day, Waterlees Street Pride/In Bloom will begin a litter pick at the Oasis Centre at 10am and the Friends of Waterlees Garden Group will also be in action. Orchards Primary School is also organising an event to coincide with the campaign.

Saturday March 3 will see more events scheduled by Street Pride groups in Manea, Doddington, March, Tydd St Giles, Leverington, Elm and Chatteris.

Manea Street Pride is meeting at the ‘Meat and Eat’ Café in the High Street for a litter pick starting at 10am, while group members in Doddington will gather at the Clock Tower at 2pm.

March Street Pride will meet at the George Campbell Leisure Centre at 10am, and those in Tydd St Giles will meet at the Community Centre at 10.30am.

Leverington Street Pride will also be making a clean sweep, meeting at the Sports and Social Club at 10am, and Elm Street Pride will meet at the War Memorial at 10am.

And in Chatteris, members will gather at the Church Lane car park at 10am.

In Wimblington, a third community litter pick is being held to see if there is an interest in forming a new Street Pride group there. Volunteers will meet at the Parish Hall at 10am. All necessary equipment will be provided by Fenland District Council but those attending must wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Anyone wishing to get involved in any of the clean-ups, or wanting to organise their own, should contact Rebecca Robinett, Fenland District Council’s Street Pride coordinator, on 01354 654321 or email rrobinett@fenland.gov.uk

The council can provide litter picking equipment and will remove any rubbish collected.