Could you help tackle the scourge of litter in your local community?

Dover District Council wants volunteers to sign up for this year’s Great British Spring Clean campaign.

The annual litter pick is organised by Keep Britain Tidy and is between May 28 and June 13.

The council says parks and beaches have been particularly needed during the pandemic but, as a direct result of this, litter has increased significantly too.

It spends £1.5m each year on street cleansing and regularly runs local campaigns encouraging residents to pick up after their dog, use the local bins and take rubbish home with them.

But, the authority says, there are still some who don’t dispose of their litter responsibly.

DDC thanks the majority of residents who do care and take a pride in their district by doing the right thing, and appreciates the efforts of local voluntary groups who continue to help.

The council can provide all the necessary equipment for organised litter picks, and will arrange to pick up any rubbish that is collected.

As part of this year’s GBSC the council is also running a photographic competition for young people aged under 18.

They are encouraged to showcase the beauty of the Dover district by submitting a picture they have taken that promotes civic pride and makes them feel glad to live in this area.

The top prize is a £50 Love to Shop voucher.

Diane Croucher, council head of regulatory services, said: “Joining the Great British Spring Clean is a great way to meet friends safely outdoors, while making the district a cleaner place to live.

"The council is delighted to be supporting this event once more and hopes to welcome more volunteers this year than we’ve seen before.

“Litter is an ongoing problem for which we are continuously looking to find solutions.

"We will explain what further action we are taking during this campaign.

"This includes the introduction of litter bag dispensing stations, cigarette butt disposal, beach litter picking venues and on-the-spot fines to help create a cleaner district that we can all be proud of.”

For further information about signing up to be a volunteer litter picker, or the photography competition, visit the web page www.dover.gov.uk/GBSC

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