DAD Gavin Cox has become Nythe, Eldene and Liden's first community champion after gathering more than 200 bags of litter from the streets.

He has been out to collect rubbish every week after his ten-year-old daughter, Em told him she wanted to look after the countryside.

He started doing it in lockdown and carried on even when the children lost interest. Over the months he's cleared all sorts of waste, from abandoned prams and trolleys to bikes and a couple of dozen footballs, pulling on a pair of waders to drag many of them out of Shaftesbury Lake.

Now his dedication has been recognised by the parish council.

“It was a complete surprise to get it," he said. "The area I litter pick in, people are so appreciative with the work I’ve been doing and they stop to say thanks.”

He is the first person to receive the award and the council hopes to carry it on as an annual recognition for those who help the community.

Gavin, who works as a vehicle inspector at Honda, said: “I was sick and tired of all the rubbish so we started litter picking. They did come out to help collect some but they lost interest after a few weeks but I took it on board.”

“None of us could do anything in lockdown so I went out nearly every day, sometimes even twice a day but I’ve calmed down now."

He has focused his litter picking efforts near Nythe stream and Shaftesbury Lake. He even made himself a device with a broom handle and rope to fetch some of the dumped items out of the water.

He said: “To be honest in the winter, it’s dead but you tend to see more being dumped now. Some of it’s been there quite a few years but every two days I can fill two bags. I’ve seen some of the bins and they’re full to the brim even though they’re regularly emptied.”

Gavin is still going out to collect rubbish but has reduced the litter pick to a couple of times a week and when he can fit it around his work shifts.

Chairman of Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council Kevin Parry said: “

Gavin has been amazing on the war against litter, going out most days litter picking and has collected over 200 bags of rubbish.

"He has gone above and beyond and has been in the lake removing trolleys and in the stream removing hard to reach waste.”

“I was really pleased to gain the support of all the parish councillors to present Gavin our first award as Community Champion.

"He has gained the respect of many residents who have seen him out and about working away.”