Residents across Forest Heath are being urged to clean up their neighbourhood. Forest Heath District Council is supporting The Big Tidy Up Campaign, the country’s biggest ever clean up which is being run by ENCAMS (Environmental Campaigns) during the whole of September.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to participate in local clean up events across the district to reduce litter and improve the local environment.

Figures released by the UK’s biggest anti-litter campaign, Keep Britain Tidy, have revealed that:

• Council taxpayers in the UK fork out £500 million a year to clean the streets
• More than 30 million tonnes of litter is collected from our streets each year
• Thanks to the growing presence of dropped food, the UK rat population now stands at approximately 60 million.

Cllr Tony Simmons, Member Champion for Environment, said: “We’re encouraging everyone to join with friends, family or neighbours to take action against litter. As a council we have a commitment to ensuring high standards for our environment and we welcome community involvement in campaigns like this."

Litter pickers and refuse sacks are on offer to groups who organise a clean up. But supplies are limited so you need to register your interest early. The Council will also arrange to collect all the litter you pick up.

Whilst The Big Tidy Up Campaign is focused on a limited time, Forest Heath District Council is keen to support local groups who wish to carry out litter picks at other times of the year.

To register an event and get a tidy up kit containing posters, stickers, tabard bibs, badges and a guide to help carry out your tidy up safely, visit ENCAMS’ website: http://www.thebigtidyup.org/

Further information about The Big Tidy Up can be found on the website or by contacting Forest Heath District Council on 01638 719284.