A Swindon resident has been praised for collecting several bags of litter in and around Swindon in her own free time.

Josie Lewis of Wroughton goes out and ensures that hedges, grass verges and more are all tidy from litter that is often thrown out of driving by cars.

“I see rubbish and litter as I drive past and it inspires me to take action,” she said.

“I work with Keep Swindon Tidy as well as the Wroughton estates team often to keep different areas of the town clean including the Oasis.”

The 70-year-old first started litter picking in 2020 during the outbreak of the Covid pandemic and has not stopped since.

Swindon Advertiser: Josie can often be found in and around Wroughton.Josie can often be found in and around Wroughton. (Image: Dave Cox)

“During Covid I saw the litter on Wharf Road and it blows into the ditches and it can contaminate the waterways as well as hurt cattle if they eat it if it lands in the farmers’ fields,” said Josie.

“It was something to do and a way of getting out!”

As well as helping the environment and improving the look of Swindon, Josie also enjoys helping out as she makes lots of new friends along the way.

“You get a social life from it as people stop what they are doing and thank you,” she said.

“One chap in particular brought me some food including a banana, chocolate and water after spotting me doing it which was a lovely feeling.”

The appreciation for Josie does not stop there though with fellow residents of Wroughton, the area in which she resides and does the majority of her litter picking, singing her praises too.

Swindon Advertiser: Josie has encouraged other Swindonians to not litter in the town and take pride in the area instead.Josie has encouraged other Swindonians to not litter in the town and take pride in the area instead. (Image: Dave Cox)

Jimmy Hyslop, a local plasterer, said: “I always see her up and down the streets of Wroughton helping keep the place tidy.

“She is doing it all off of her own back and she makes it look amazing and she’ll do it in any conditions as I recently saw her with around 15 bags worth in the rain!”

Josie was also keen to share a message to anyone who even considers littering in her beloved hometown of Swindon.

“It is a criminal offence to litter just as it is to fly tip as that litter belongs to you,” she said.

“The council are often blamed for the dirty verges but it isn’t them that drop it.

“It is your duty to get rid of your property in the right way and you should take pride in your local area by doing so!”