A CAMPAIGN to get a million people out and about cleaning up their communities is being backed by Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Clean for The Queen aims to give the country a tidy-up ahead of The Queen’s 90th birthday in April and is centred on a weekend of activity from Friday March 4 to Sunday March 6 2016.

The campaign is backed by anti-litter charities such as Keep Britain Tidy and the Campaign to Protect Rural England. It has also won the backing of councils across the UK who spend around £1billion clearing litter every year.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is encouraging and supporting groups and individuals who want to ‘do their bit’ to help clear up the litter that blights our streets, parks and rural landscapes.

Councillor Jim Mason, Lead Member for Clean and Green Environment, said: “This campaign is all about communities taking pride in the areas in which they live, so it’s great that many people have already contacted the council to ask how they can get involved. I hope the enquiries keep coming and if anyone needs help, advice or equipment, please do get in touch.”

How to get involved

Visit www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/cleanforthequeen to:

• find out if any other litter picking events are taking place in your area

• get advice about organising a litter picking event and register your event

• find out where you can collect rolls of waste bags

• ask about borrowing litter picking equipment (limited supply available)

• arrange for filled bags to be collected following an event