The Great British Spring Clean has officially kicked off as residents come together to clean up the community.

The county wide Great Herefordshire Clean Up is running from March 17 to April 2, aiming to empower local communities to cut litter, improve public spaces and educate future generations on responsible waste disposal. 

Locally, Ross Community Litter Clean Up Crew (RCLCUC) attracted a sizeable number of volunteers on Sunday, March 17. 

The volunteers collected 10 full sacks of litter within one hour, leaving the areas covered clean and tidy for residents, visitors and wildlife. 

During the Great British Spring Clean, the local group is looking to educate children on the importance of looking after their environment. 

On March 20 the Third Ross Brownies are going out with RCLCUC, as well as Ash Field Park Junior School on March 21. 

Anne Taylor, from RCLCUC, said: “We are trying to encourage local people to get out and get involved. 

“We go out for an hour, usually around the skate park and the sports centre with the children. E spend some time explaining what we are doing and why before we begin the litter pick. Most of the children are pretty clued up on the environment and the harm litter causes to it and so they usually explain it to us.

“We are also hoping to get children and parent’s out during the easter break to volunteer.”

For more information email [email protected].

Other clean up events taking place across the county this year include, the Hereford Community Clean Up Group’s litter pick along the Great Western Way in Hereford. From 9:30am on March 22, the group will be picking litter and reposting fly tipping while working their way from Belmont Road bridge towards Newton Farm. 

There will also be groups organised by Ledbury Town Trail, Ross Town Trail and other events organised by Parish Councils. 

Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member Roads and Regulatory Services, said: “Over £1million is spent on cleaning up litter in Herefordshire each year, and a network of hard working picking groups and individuals contribute to the effort to keep our county clean. The Great Herefordshire Clean Up is a great opportunity for us all to work together and celebrate what can be achieved with teamwork and pride in our local communities.

 “I will be attending the litter pick on Great Western Way, and I would encourage those who want our county litter-free and beautiful to get involved. Register your interest in taking part in the Great Herefordshire Clean Up by contacting BBLP, and share your success stories with us by emailing pictures of local people getting stuck in to tackling litter.”

You can find your local litter piking group on the https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/report-problem/litter/8 website and register your interest with Balfour Beatty Living Places at [email protected].

 Once registered, groups can collect and sign for the loan of kits and purple waste sacks from the BBLP depot on Thorn Business Park, Hereford. Purple sacks are also available from Herefordshire Council’s Plough Lane offices.

 Groups are asked to identify collection points of waste sacks and fly tipped items to BBLP, who will collect in the following days as and when trucks are in the area.

Collection points should be safe places to store rubbish, for example next to existing litter bins, and away from major junctions to allow easy access for the collection vehicles.

 The council’s Community Protection Team is also hard at work investigating unlawful waste disposal and fly-tipping cases. If fly tipping is suspected, this can be reported at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/reportingapp/ or by calling 01432 261761.

Groups can also share their success stories by sending pictures to [email protected]