Swindon Borough Council is again backing a national campaign to get half a million people out and about cleaning up their communities.

As part of its support for The Great British Spring Clean the council is calling for volunteers to take part in organised litter-picks right across the borough.

Taking place from Friday, March 3 until Sunday, March 5, March, the spring clean is co-ordinated nationally by Keep Britain Tidy, with the aim of bringing people together from across the country to clear up the litter that blights the country. Last year more than 80 Swindon volunteers took part in Clean for the Queen event.

The council has registered with the event organisers and will be supporting local events, loaning litter picking equipment and removing the waste collected. A whole host of individual residents, local businesses and community groups have already flagged their interest and will be getting on board with the spring clean. Twelve groups are already signed up, including strong teams from John Lewis Partnership, Nationwide and the Harbour Project. Residents from Shaw have offered to tidy Shaw Forest Park and Shaw Village centre, while residents and councillors from Park North, Eldene Residents’ Association, and husband and wife team Marilyn and Denis Harrison from West Swindon have also pledged their support.

Marilyn said: “We get out every week to pick up litter. We got tired of seeing so much mess so we decided it would be a really positive thing to do for the environment. The Great British Spring Clean is a great event that allows us all to do something really worthwhile for the town and meet lots of great people into the bargain. A lot of litter does get dropped but Swindon has the potential to be really beautiful and this is one way we can all help achieve that. I really encourage people to get involved and have some fun at the same time.”

Coun Keith Williams, cabinet member for StreetSmart, highways, and transport, who is also rolling up his sleeves for the Spring Clean, said: “This is a really worthwhile initiative and another example of Swindon’s great community spirit. Flytipping and litter dumping are very much in the news at the moment, and the more we can do to clean up the Borough the better. I congratulate those already signed up and would urge the maximum volunteers to register for the Clean Up and help make Swindon a town to be proud of.”

Tracy Scott, community facilitator – locality projects from Swindon Borough Council said: “The Great British Spring Clean is about everyone working together to clean up the litter that blights our landscape and communities and we’re delighted to be taking part and bringing people together to tackle an issue that many people care passionately about and also help to reduce social isolation. Ideally a group of at least 5-6 per area is needed but we’ll still welcome individuals. There’s scope for all areas of the Borough to get involved and we’re determined to beat last year’s turn out.”

To register to take part email volunteer@swindon.gov.uk or call 01793 466239.