BURY South MP Christian Wakeford is backing a new campaign from Keep Britain Tidy as it launches its 'Great British Spring Clean'.

The environmental charity is asking everyone to pledge to do their bit to clear up the litter that blights our neighbourhoods between May 28 to June 13 this year.

This year’s campaign comes as the charity has reported a massive increase in the number of people who have started litter-picking during the various lockdowns.

On Thursday, March 31, Mr Wakeford joined the volunteers from the Radcliffe Litter Picker group to help clean up around Scotson Fold in Radcliffe. Over 16 bags of rubbish were collected with anything from old tyres to plastic bags removed from the area.

The Great British Spring Clean, now in its sixth year, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep. In 2019, more than half a million #LitterHeroes collected just under a million bags of litter, weighing around 4,308 tons.

Mr Wakeford said: “It was wonderful to do my bit this week to help keep our area tidy as part of the Great British Spring Clean. Litter picking groups across Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich work tirelessly to keep our communities a great place to live and work, I am very grateful to them.

“I would encourage anyone who can to get our there and volunteer to become a Litter Hero to help keep our towns and countryside clean and tidy all year round.”

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “We are delighted to have the support of Christian for this year’s Great British Spring Clean.

“We have all spent a lot more time in our local area in the past year and have come to realise just how important our local park or green space is for our mental and physical health.

“We need to care for these spaces and the Great British Spring Clean is an opportunity for everyone to take a small action that, collectively, can make a big difference.

“Whether you commit to do five minutes or five hours, every single pledge will help us reach our million-mile target and clear many tonnes of litter pollution from our environment.”

Pledge to get involved today at keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean

#GBSpringClean #MillionMileMission