Join us for the Great British Spring Clean

West Berkshire Council has today backed a bid to pick litter from streets and public spaces during Britain's favourite environmental charity's clean-up campaign.

Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean campaign, which runs from 15-31 March, is calling for residents across West Berkshire to show their pride in their community by taking part in the mass action litter pick.

We are delighted to lend our support to back the charity's #BigBagChallenge - a plea to the public to pledge on the charity's website to pick one bag, or more, of litter from streets, parks, beauty spots and beaches to protect our vibrant communities and precious wildlife habitats.

We can provide litter-picking equipment to help you carry out your event. Please give us as much notice as possible when requesting equipment and wait for confirmation before you advertise your event as our equipment may not be available due to popular demand. For more information please visit: www.westberks.gov.uk/communitylitterpick.

Equipment is available all year round but please note equipment is fully booked over the weekend of 23 and 24 March.

This year's campaign comes as Keep Britain Tidy marks its platinum anniversary, having been founded by Women's Institute members in 1954, and West Berkshire has joined forces with the charity to highlight to residents that the environment 'belongs to everyone'. People can make a #PlatinumPledge to mark Keep Britain Tidy's 70^th year by picking 70 items, 70 bags, or spending 70 minutes in the great outdoors litter-picking.

The charity reports that last year:

• 96% of participants agreed that they felt they had made a difference to their local area.
• 84% agreed that the Great British Spring Clean helped them to feel inspired to do more to protect the environment.

The Great British Spring Clean, now in its ninth year, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses, and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep.

Cllr Stuart Gorley, Executive Member for Climate Action, Recycling and Biodiversity at West Berkshire Council, said:

"We are pleased to support the Great British Spring Clean for its 70^th anniversary. We're lucky to be able to live in such a beautiful green district, but unfortunately litter is a continual problem we have to deal with that blights our natural environment. 

"Littering and fly-tipping not only tarnishes the beauty of our district but also poses a significant threat to our environment, wildlife, community well-being, and overall quality of life. 

"We would like to thank the volunteer litter pickers that we have going out throughout the district all year round to help keep West Berkshire free of litter and continue to do so."

Keep Britain Tidy's Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said:

"The Great British Spring Clean simply would not be possible without the backing of our community partners.

"We are so grateful for the ongoing support from West Berkshire Council. 

"The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to really show their pride in where they live, and connect with like-minded people, while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep. 

"During this year's campaign, we are highlighting that the environment belongs to everyone, and that everyone is welcome to join in with our activities and 70^th anniversary celebrations. 

"Local authorities play a critical role in engaging and supporting volunteers on the ground. Whether it's a pledge to pick one bag, or 70 for our anniversary, West Berkshire can feel proud to see their armies of #LitterHeroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to make the district a cleaner, safer place for our future generations."

Get involved in the Great British Spring Clean today by pledging at: www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean and use the hashtags #WestBerkshire #GBSpringClean #BigBagChallenge