A campaign to clear up litter in Dover has been gaining momentum with 11 large sacks of rubbish collected in one village.

Adeline Reidy and Peter Sherred started the campaign a few weeks ago to rid the town of litter in time for the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Each week they have been calling on a different group to take part and this week has seen churches taking part and clearing their churchyards and grounds.

The pair have received positive responses from businesses and schools in previous weeks and Ms Reidy has visited groups and societies in the town to spread the word.

Mr Sherred, a self-supporting priest and past president of Dover and South Foreland Rotary clubs, arranged for all churches to be given details and has been busy spearheading the campaign by cleaning litter from the roadways leading into and out of Guston.

He said: “Over four days I have filled 11 large black sacks by just picking up items deposited on the roads and their verges.

“The bulk of the material collected has consisted of plastic bottles of various shapes and sizes, numerous empty beer and Coca Cola cans as well as a variety of fast food outlet material such as cardboard containers, plastic cutlery and drink containers.

“Throughout the year individual litter collectors such as Ken Read, John Morgan and Alan Sencicle, to name just three, undertake similar tasks all for the betterment of the town and its surroundings.

“Hopefully, this campaign will highlight and encourage their efforts and those of many voluntary organisations who try to keep the tide of waste at bay.”

Both campaigners have acknowledged that the clearing of litter is not the end of the problem and accept people’s attitudes need to change to really make a difference and stop those who deposit litter and fly-tipping in the first place.