KEEP Britain Tidy has launched their Great British Spring Clean campaign to encourage people to clean their streets – with the help of a town council.

Kirkbymoorside Town Council is encouraging residents and businesses to pledge their support to the million-mile litter picking mission from May 28 (Friday) to June 13 (Sunday).

The campaign, now in its sixth year, aims to bring together individuals, communities, organisations, businesses, and councils to make a difference to the environment.

Lisa Bolland, town clerk of Kirkbymoorside Town Council, says all you need is a litter picker, some gloves and a bag to collect your litter in.

A limited number of litter pickers are available for collection from the Moorside Store, together with Ryedale District Council refuse sacks which can be left next to any public bin for collection.

“It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we have faced this year, but small acts of kindness – to our planet and ourselves – can help us improve our surroundings and our mood,” she said.

“Taking part is not only good for the environment, but for our mental and physical health too.

“Last year, 79 per cent of people who took part in the Great British Spring Clean reported improved mood, and 51 per cent said it encouraged them to move more.

“Whether you pledge to take part alone, with your families or friends, it’s a great excuse to get outside.”

In 2019, more than half a million people collected one million bags of litter, weighing around 4,308 tons.

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, added: “The Great British Spring Clean would not be possible without the support of local authorities.

“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.”

If you would like to join the Kirkbymoorside Litter Heroes, call Julia Bullock via 07896 333434 or email town.clerk@kirkbymoorsidetowncouncil.gov.uk.