For the third consecutive year, Thurrock Council is supporting a nationwide campaign to encourage residents to help clean up their communities.

From Friday March 22 to Tuesday April 23, the council will back local groups taking part in The Great British Spring Clean, an annual initiative launched by anti-litter charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Residents can get involved in the campaign by contacting the council in advance about holding an event in their local area and receive equipment, including litter pickers and rubbish bags, on their scheduled date. Once plans are arranged, groups can then register their clean-up at The Great British Spring Clean website.

Cllr Watkins, portfolio holder for environment, said: “By working together we know that communities can have a huge impact helping to make our borough a nicer place to live, work and play.

“We’ve all seen for ourselves on TV how damaging the continued scourge of plastic and litter is to our natural environments. This scheme will give us all an opportunity to play our part.

“Previously, The Great British Spring Clean has taken place over a weekend or a week but this year we are delighted to be supporting this initiative and bringing people together to tackle this issue at events held over an entire month.

“Local groups can arrange a clean-up in their designated area and volunteers are encouraged to find out about their nearest events by searching their town or postcode online at The Great British Spring Clean.

“We are also looking to put on designated days in certain areas where communities can collaborate with council street teams, and local events will be promoted at our libraries and community hubs.

“Such events throughout the borough will further build on achievements seen through the investment in ‘Clean It, Cut It, Fill It’ initiatives to make our streets cleaner and tidier. We are independently accessed by Keep Britain Tidy and their reports show we are improving.”

Bulky waste, such as mattresses, will not be collected via a clean-up event but can be picked up using the council’s Bulky Waste Service or taken to a local waste and recycling centre.

To register your interest and for more information visit thurrock.gov.uk/community-clean-ups/spring-cleaning