Calling all litter champions

As part of this year's Big Spring Clean project, the council is searching for 30 Litter Champions from across the borough.

The volunteers will promote the excellent work carried out by the Big Spring Clean during the rest of the year and help encourage others to help keep local areas across Sandwell clean and tidy.

Each year, thousands of residents sign up to the Big Spring Clean and take part in activities such as litter picking, painting, planting and graffiti removal.

Local charity Tipton Litterwatch runs the initiative along with Sandwell's waste partner Serco and the council.

More than 500 parts of the borough have benefited thanks to the help of more than 19,000 volunteers during the last five years.

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell's cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said it was important to build on the momentum of the Big Spring Clean.

"We're looking for enthusiastic, proactive residents who take pride in their local area. So if you're passionate about helping make Sandwell sparkle, then get in touch."

Those who volunteer as Litter Champions will be given litter picking equipment and receive other support such as special collections.

More than 2,500 volunteers have registered to take part in this year's campaign.

Among those were pupils at St Michael's High School in Rowley Regis who helped tidy up the area around their school in May.

Gareth Comeford from the school said: "The students of St Michael's are immensely proud of their community and took part in the litter pick so we can all enjoy a nice tidy, litter-free community."

Staff at the AA in Oldbury also took part in a Big Spring Clean in May. Other organisations that have taken part in this year's Big Spring Clean include Black Country Living Landscapes, ASDA and Tipton Christian Church.

To become a Litter Champion, or to get involved in the Big Spring Clean, email bigspringclean.sandwell@serco.com