A Dovorian is calling on fellow residents to help rid Dover of litter and fly-tipping and give the town a spring clean this April.

Peter Sherred was part of the group from the town’s Rotary Clubs that cleared up litter from Green Lane and Melbourne Avenue.

He said at the end of the task, notices were erected advising of the steps taken and encouraging people to co-operate in not depositing litter.

Within two days the notice had been torn from its fixings and thrown to the ground.

Mr Sherred said: “This reflected badly on the mentality of those responsible but highlighted the sad position in which we find ourselves in respect of litter in our disposable society.

“Having lived in Dover for more than 60 years I cannot recall a time when our town has been so despoiled by so much abandoned waste.

“It is dominant wherever we look, whether it is on the principal roads leading in and out of the town or in the town centre.

“Much of the discarded rubbish comprises drinks cans, plastic bottles and takeaway food containers, although in some places much larger items are found.

“It really is time for those who care about the town or live and work in it to meet this challenge head on and take steps to clean up our act.

“It is all too easy to blame others such as lorry drivers who are easy targets or the district council for alleged failure to keep the town tidy while at the same time turning a blind eye to what is an environmental disgrace.”

In time for the national campaign Clean for the Queen to mark her 90th birthday, Mr Sherred said he would like to bring the community together to rid Dover of litter and fly-tipping.

He claims this could be achieved by encouraging all schools in Dover to remind their pupils not to drop litter, schools should be encouraged to clean up their land, and churches clean up their churchyards.

All businesses in the town should be encouraged to take responsibility for their buildings and land and clear them of waste.

He also said houses and gardens should be kept in order and the community should help those who are elderly or infirm.

Mr Sherred also said the county council should waiver charges at refuse disposal facilities and the district council should provide skips for residents with unwanted items.

He added: “Just think how much a really concerted effort could achieve if we all put our minds to it to make Dover a litter-free destination.

“I understand this is not an easy challenge to address as we clearly are in a societal problem regarding attitudes to litter and education and enforcement need to go hand in hand with action.

“Having personally been involved in many campaigns over 50 years for the betterment of life in our town I hope that once again the people of Dover can respond to this challenge which affects all our lives.”

He has contacted Highways England about clearing litter on roads and the provision of bins in lay-bys.

“So come on, Dover, let us work together as a community to address this endemic problem which blights our lives,” he said.