The latest Big Spring Clean has taken place in North Tyneside - with volunteers from the Prince’s Trust, TyneMet College and North Tyneside Council all taking part in the clean-up.
The spring clean took place next to the Coast Road in Wallsend, following feedback from residents.
North Tyneside Council’s annual ‘Big Spring Clean’ campaign was set up back in 2008 to keep the borough greener and cleaner. It aims to combat litter and dog fouling with the help of local residents, businesses, schools and community groups.
Running from March until May 13, the campaign invites the public to take part in council and community-led litter picks, that the authority will support by providing gloves, bags and litter pickers.
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “It’s great to see so many organisations taking part in this year’s Big Spring Clean campaign.
“We strive to ensure that our borough is a great place to live, work and visit and the Big Spring Clean plays a big part in that. The campaign has already been extremely successful and it looks to continue to do so.”
Kourtney Campbell, 16, who took part in the litter pick, said: “We helped with a litter pick to make the environment better. We’ve also made posters to try to get people to take their litter home and tidy up after themselves.”
The campaign has seen extraordinary successes in the past, with over seven tonnes of litter being removed from the borough when the initiative was ran in 2015.
This year, the council will be aiming to surpass these figures, as well as promote responsible dog ownership through various ‘NO MESSING!’ events.
Over the course of the campaign, wardens will continue to remind dog owners of their legal obligations to clean up after their pets, issuing fines to who those who don't and the number of patrols will be increased, as well as responding to problem locations identified by the public.
The council’s mascot, Waldo the Wonderdog, will also be visiting schools where he will be holding interactive assemblies and spreading his anti-littering message to the younger generation.
For information about the Big Spring Clean, to find out about council-led litter picks or to organise your own, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk or call 0345 2000 103.
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