People across the country are being asked to do their bit to keep their community tidy as part of the Great British Spring Clean event.

The national campaign is aimed at getting people out in their neighbourhoods cleaning up their streets and open spaces.

It is a chance for people to take part in the country's biggest-ever community clear up which is led by Keep Britain Tidy.

The Great British Spring Clean campaign kicks-off on Friday and runs until Tuesday, April 23. It is the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign.

With thousands of events nationwide, the campaign hopes to collect more waste and litter from our streets than last year.

During 2018's campaign more than 630,000 bags of rubbish from more than 300 local authorities were collected.

Last year’s efforts were supported by around 370,000 people nationwide, and the charity hopes to bring even more people on-board this year.

A new study found the most common neighbourhood gripes for Brits are litter at 66%, dog mess at 64%, fly tipping at 42% and broken glass at 32%.

The community spaces the nation says are most important to be kept clean and tidy are parks, pavements, public transport and shops.

People living in clean community spaces reported higher levels of happiness, lower levels of frustration and were more likely to say they’re proud of their town than those living in dirty areas.

A staggering four in five British people, admit the cleanliness of their community has a significant impact on their emotional wellbeing.

Litter remains a huge problem across the country, causing harm to the environment and wildlife, with councils in England having to spend more than £700 million on street cleaning services each year.

The KM Group has launched a campaign to get the county tidy to coincide with the Great British Spring Clean.

There are events being held across Kent so here is a handy guide to where they are being held and how people can get involved.

Ashford

Ashford Borough Council says it is leading the way with a year of events, campaigns and initiatives.

Under its 'clean' theme the authority wants to support the big campaign to get people out and about cleaning up their communities throughout this month and April.

The council will be hosting its own litter pick on Saturday, March 23, inviting the people to join in and celebrate making our environment cleaner, safer and more attractive.

It wants to encourage all parishes, villages, community groups and keen individuals to join in and host or join litter picks in their local area.

Saturday, March 23

Chilham Parish Council Litter Pick, meet at The Street, Chilham, no time specified.

Egerton Litter Pick, meet at Egerton Recreation Ground, off Rock Hill Road, no time specified.

Wye Litter Pick and people who want to take part should meet in High Street, Wye, no time specified.

Brook Parish Council's Litter Pick, meet at Stonebridge, Brook if you want to take part, no time specified.

Keep Ashford Clean Litter Pick meet at 10am at Victoria Park, in Jemmett Road.

Saturday, March 30

Willesborough Litter Pick, meet at St Mary the Virgin Church, Tufton Street, no time specified.

Sevington Play area litter pick, which is resident led.

Saturday, April 6

Charing Litter Pick, a resident led clean up, no time specified.

Tuesday, April 9

Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, the litter pick along the Great Stour and East Stour stretches of the Ashford Green Corridor at Beavor Road.

People should meet at 10am at the Stour Centre car park in Station Road.

Saturday, April 13

Wittersham village litter pick, which is resident led and is being staged in the afternoon.

Sunday, April 14

Challock Parish Council litter pick, Challock, no time specified.

Sunday, April 21

Ashford Lions Club has also organised a little pick, from 10am people who want to take part should get to TN24 0HZ in Willesborough.

If you would like to take part in any of the events please email street.scene@ashford.gov.uk and the team can put you in touch with the organiser.

Canterbury

There are several litter picks and clean ups taking place in the area during the campaign and people should visit the Keep Britain Tidy website to find out where and when they are happening. To find out more click here.

Dartford

Dartford Borough Council is supporting the initiative and is leading The Great Dartford Litterpick where bosses are encouraging all litter picking groups, individuals and residents to take part.

Council leader, Cllr Jeremy Kite says he’s looking for local heroes willing to help transform Dartford into one of the keenest, greenest and cleanest towns in the country and promises the council will provide all the equipment, support and incentives for people of all ages to take part.

The council will equip Dartford’s litter picking local heroes with picking sticks, hi-vis jackets, black sacks and gloves as well as plenty of advice and help.

Find out why Dartford Council is getting behind the campaign

The council is also providing a charity pot so every litter picker can help local good causes as they clean up the environment.

Every participant will get a vote to decide where a share of the £2,500 charity pot will go.

The Great Dartford Litterpick is open to any new or existing litter picking group, school, club, business or individual.

Dartford Science and Technology College are championing the initiative by encouraging children and staff to get involved in The Great Dartford Schools’ Litterpick.

Cllr Kite said: "Councils spend lots of time and money picking up litter and whilst we willingly do it it’s frustrating because litter is a wholly avoidable blight on our community.

"If everyone took responsibility for their own litter footprint our communities would be cleaner, greener and safer for wildlife.

"It’s only a tiny number of people who drop litter but they cause a big, big mess.

The Great Dartford Litterpick is designed to show that local communities care about our environment and that people want to do something about it in partnership with the council’s own cleansing teams.

Dartford is blessed with a number of dedicated litter picking groups and individuals and I want to thank them all.

"They make a huge difference and play a big role in raising the profile of the scourge of litter.”

If you would like to be part of the Great Dartford Litterpick by organising your own community litterpick, email waste@dartford.gov.uk and the council will provide you with litter pickers, sacks, gloves and arrange to pick up any rubbish collected from an agreed collection point when you’re done.

You can also register your litter pick as part of the Great British Spring Clean by via the Keep Britain Tidy website

For more information please click here or email press@dartford.gov.uk or call 01322 343440.

Dover

Saturday, March 23

Deal With It is holding a clear up in the Walmer Beach area, meet at the Sea Café, Walmer Green at 9.30am.

Sunday, March 24

The Kingsdown Conservation Group is holding a clear up in the Kingsdown Beach area, meet at the car park by the Zetland Arms pub, from 10:30am.

The London Road Community Forum is holding a clear up of the London Road area from the Tower Hamlets traffic lights to the Cherry Tree traffic lights. Meet at Footprints @ The Beacon, in London Road, at 9am.

Saturday, March 30

The Tower Hamlets Forum is holding a clear up of the Tower Hamlets area, meet at Rowellan Hall on Northbourne Avenue, Dover at 10am.

Saturday, April 13

Wingham Parish Council is holding a clear up of a range of areas in the village, meet at The Dog pub in Wingham at 9am if you would like to join in.

Sunday, April 14

Deal With It is holding a clear up of Deal Beach at the Sandown Castle end on, meet at the Sandown Castle end of the beach at 9.30am.

Dover District Council says it continues to work hard to keep the district clean and tidy, and will be carrying out a range of work during the campaign including clear ups in built up areas and work to keep roadsides clear.

Folkestone and Hythe

Various events have been organised the area which people can join.

Saturday, March 23

Lyminge Stream and Village Clean, meet at 10am at the Well Field and bring wellies if you want to stream clean.

Saturday, March 30

Lydd, meet at 10am at the back of the town hall, in High Street.

Sunday, March 31

Ivychurch, meet at 10am at The Bell Inn pub and stay for soup and a roll after the litter pick.

Saturday, April 6

Hythe town, meet at 10am at Oaklands Park off Stade Street.

Saturday, April 13

Sandgate beach clean, more details will follow which will be published on the council's Facebook page nearer the time.

Sunday, April 14

Brookland, meeting at the village hall and stay for tea and cake after the clean up.

Gravesham

There are an array of events happening in the borough throughout this month and April so plenty of opportunities for people to get involved.

People who want to take part can just turn up in suitable clothing and footwear.

Children are welcome to participate at events but will need to be accompanied by an adult and litter picking equipment will be provided.

Some events have already happened in the borough.

In Shorne 40 volunteers collected 70 bags of litter and in Cobham, 20 volunteers collected 40 bags of rubbish.

Here are some more events which have been organised for the borough.

Saturday, March 23

Coldharbour Ward at 12.30pm by entrance to Fleet Leisure, Nelson Road, Northfleet.

Riverview Park at 10.30am at Riverview Park Library, Leander Drive.

Sunday, March 24

Windmill Hill, at 1pm at the corner of Windmill Street and Leith Park Road.

Tuesday, March 26

Gravesend Town Centre from 11am to 1pm, meet in Prospect Place.

Wednesday, March 27

Kings Farm from 4pm to 6pm. Meet at King’s Farm Community Hub, 7 Warrior Avenue.

Saturday, March 30

Cyclopark area at 10am meet at Cyclopark The Tollgate, Watling Street.

Higham Community Pavilion, from 110am to 2pm meet on the Recreation Ground, School Lane.

Luddesdown meet at 9am at the Golden Lion car park, Luddesdown Road, volunteers can help out for as long as they feel able.

Sunday, March 31

Higham from 10am to 2pm meet outside the shops on School Lane 10am. If anyone would like to litter pick outside of these times, call 07480 518493.

Thursday, April 4

Northfleet Central meet in Rose Street at 10.30am.

Saturday, April 6

Northfleet Central meet in Rose Street at 10.30am.

Westcourt from 11am to 2pm, meet at St Aidan’s Church, St Gregory's Crescent.

Church Road, Ifield area from 10am to noon, meet by the small bin by the bridge which spans the A2 near the lay-by

Riverside, from 10am to 4pm at Riverside Community Centre.

There will be a little picking event all day so people can join this one any time for just an hour if they wish.

Equipment and light refreshments will be provided.

Tuesday, April 9

Town centre from 11am meet at the Three Daws pub, Town Pier.

For more information about events in Gravesham, call Kirsty Gaunt on 01474 337591 or email kirsty.gaunt@gravesham.gov.uk or Wendy Wallis on 01474 337379 or email wendy.wallis@gravesham.gov.uk

Maidstone

Maidstone Borough Council is supporting this year’s campaign and will focus on collecting and disposing of single-use plastic.

The council's campaign will focus on recycling as much as possible.

Using the ‘three bags full’ approach, volunteers are asked to separate the litter they pick into three bags: one for plastic bottles; one for aluminium cans and a third for the rest of the rubbish.

It is also encouraging individuals, groups, schools and workplaces to become #LitterHeroes by getting involved in litter picks and tidy-ups across the borough.

Elizabeth Duncan, the council's waste strategy officer, said: “Maidstone Borough Council is proud to be supporting the Great British Spring Clean for the third year running.

"Last year it was fantastic to see so many volunteers working together to make our borough a cleaner and more pleasant place to live and work.

“This year’s campaign will not only see tonnes of litter being removed from the environment on our doorstep, but it also aims to rescue thousands of the plastic bottles and aluminium drinks cans that are simply thrown on the ground which could, very easily, be recycled.”

Volunteer litter picks have already been arranged in Maidstone, with three events scheduled for Saturday, March 23, and others on later dates.

Friday, March 22

Lordswood area of Chatham the clean up is being held from 3pm to 4pm, meet at the junction of Archer Road and Lordswood Lane.

Saturday, March 23

Darland Banks area from 1pm to 2pm, meet at the car park, at the end of Darland Avenue, Gillingham.

Thursday, March 28

River Medway at Maidstone, ME14 3AU, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Linking up with volunteers working in the estuary location, the clean up aims to ensure a full tip to toe clean up of the lower Medway river and it’s adjoining tow paths near Maidstone.

To take part in these campaigns, or set-up your own clean up event, visit the Great British Spring Clean website and use social media to get involved by using #GBSSpringClean, #KeepKentClean and #LitterHeroes.

Maidstone council can loan litter picks and other equipment to residents who have coordinated their own event.

To request equipment, please email streetscene@maidstone.gov.uk

Medway

Residents are being encouraged to help keep Medway tidy as part of the campaign.

Events will be held across the Towns and volunteers are encouraged to take part and litter pickers and equipment will be provided.

Anyone who would like to help keep Medway tidy should email communityteam@medway.gov.uk with their name, a contact number and the event they wish to attend from the list below.

Friday, March 22

10am at Fort Pitt Street, Chatham. Meet at the junction between Fort Pitt Street and Ordnance Terrace.

1pm Horsted Valley Scout Hut, Horsted. Meet at Vale Drive.

1pm Riverside County Park, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham. Meet at the car park.

2pm Prince Arthur Park, Gillingham. Meet at the Medway Gate car park next to Khyber Road.

3pm Archer Road, Lordswood Lane, Lordswood. Meet at the junction of Archer Road and Lordswood Lane.

Saturday, March 23

9am Orchard Street, Rainham. Meet outside St Margarets School.

10am Rochester Esplanade. Meet at Rochester Cruising Club.

10am Holy Trinity Church, Twydall Road, at the rear of the shops. Meet at the church car park.

11am Foxburrow Wood, Rainham. Meet at the play area at Mierscourt Road, Rainham.

1pm Gillingham Green. Meet at the church entrance to the green.

1pm Star Lane/Darland Banks Meet at the parking area at the end of Darland Avenue, Gillingham.

3pm Rainham Recreation Ground, Rainham. Meet at the station car park.

Friday, April 12

11am to 2pm Luton Arches, Chatham. Meet at The Big Local Shop, Luton Road.

1pm Twydall shop area, Twydall Green. Meet at the car park next to the Post Office.

3pm Freshwater Road/Heron Way, Walderslade. Meet at the junction of Freshwater Road and Heron Way.

Saturday, April 13

10am Medway Gate, Rochester. Meet at the play area in Silver Streak Way.

11.30pm Upper Upnor. Meet at the car park in Upnor Road, Rochester

1pm Hillyfields, Gillingham. Meet at the park entrance in Rosebury Road.

3pm Marlborough Road, Gillingham. Meet at the Marlborough Road junction with York Avenue.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s head of frontline services, said: “Everyone has a responsibility to keep Medway clean and tidy.

"We’re looking forward to taking part in the Great British Spring Clean and I would encourage residents to get involved.”

Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks District Council has pledged its support for this year’s Great British Spring Clean and is encouraging people to take part or arrange a clean-up event during the campaign.

The council is also supporting the town council’s volunteer clean-up days, Keep Sevenoaks Tidy which starts on Friday, March 22.

Cllr Matthew Dickins, the council's head of direct & trading services said: "We’re incredibly lucky to have on our doorsteps beautiful towns, villages and countryside.

"Friends and neighbours across the district rightly take great pride in keeping this special part of the country clean and tidy.

"Doing so is good not just for our environment, or for preserving its beauty, but because it also reduces the likelihood a selfish minority will abuse it - cleaner areas are treated better.

"The annual Great British Spring Clean is a superb partnership between the district council, community groups and residents - I encourage everyone to get involved."

The council is also offering to loan litter pickers and sacks to people wishing to organise an event and will also collect the sacks once the clean up is finished.

People or community groups who would like to organise a clean-up event in the Sevenoaks district, should email recycling@sevenoaks.gov.uk to arrange support.

Resources are limited so people wishing to organise an event should enquire as early as possible.

Sevenoaks Town Council volunteer clean-up days are on:

Friday, March 22

Bradbourne Vale Road, from 10am to 1pm.

Thursday, March 28

Rear of Sevenoaks Library, Buckhurst Lane, from 10am to 1pm.

Thursday, April 4

Greatness Recreation Ground, Mill Lane, from 10am to 1pm.

Saturday, April 6

Rear of Stag Theatre, London Road, from 10am to 1pm.

Wednesday, April 10

Upper High Street Gardens, from noon to 3pm.

Other Great British Spring Clean Events in Sevenoaks district

Sunday, March 24

Horton Kirby & South Darenth Parish Council, 10am and 1pm.

Dunton Green Recreational Ground, from 10.30am to noon.

Wednesday, April 3

Edenbridge Leisure Centre, from 9.30am to noon.

Saturday, April 6

White Horse Pub, Sundridge, from 2pm to 4pm.

To sign up to take part in these events, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org

Swale

Swale Borough Council is encouraging people to get involved in this year's campaign and various clean ups have been organised across the borough including in Sittingbourne, Ospringe, Newington and other communities.

Saturday, March 23

Grove Park area of Sittingbourne from 10am to noon.

Joyce Field Allotments, Ospringe, as well a the lanes and streets in the parish from 10am to noon.

Newington area from 9.15m to 2pm.

Sunday, March 24

Parsonage Farm, Parsonage Stocks Road, Throwley from 10am to noon.

Warden Beach from 10am to noon.

Whitstable Road and Love Lane, Faversham, meet at Millfield Allotments from 10am to noon.

Rushenden area from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Saturday, March 30

Meads area, Sittingbourne, meet at Meads Community Centre, Emerald Crescent from 10am to noon.

London Road, Ashford Road, possibly Graveney Road, Faversham, meet at the Top of the Mall from 9am to noon.

Thursday, April 4

Minster Beach, meet at the The Leas from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

DS Smith Creek Clean, Sittingbourne, meet at the Country Park, from 10am to noon.

Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6

The lanes and streets in the parish of Upchurch, from 10am to noon both days.

Sunday, April 7

Milton Creek, Sittingbourne, meet at the creek from 10am to noon.

Boughton under Blean area from 10am to noon.

Friday, April 12

Sheerness Beach, Sheerness, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Saturday, April 13

Teynham area meet at the Teynham Community Hall, from 10am to noon.

Hartlip and around the Hartlip area meet at the Rose and Crown in Lower Hartlip Road, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Oare Gunpowder Works, Faversham, meet at the works from 10am to noon.

Monday, April 15 and Tuesday, April 16

Sittingbourne Country Park, from 10am to noon.

Wednesday, April 17

Tesco Sheerness through Beachfields along the beach pass the Leisure Centre from 10am to noon.

Saturday, April 20

Three Sisters pub area of Upchurch, meet at the pub from 10am to noon.

Wednesday, April 24

Streets along Broadway in Sheerness, Invicta Road, Alexander and Jefferson Roads from 10am to noon.

Saturday, April 27

King Georges playing park, Sittingbourne meet at the park from 11am to 1pm.

There are a further 10 further events which have been organised by schools in Swale which will be carried out by pupils.

Thanet

Throughout the campaign the Ramsgate Litter Forum's Great Ramsgate Spring Clean teams will be carrying out litter picks and the council's street cleansing teams will also be carrying out deep cleans at locations across Thanet.

Thursday, April 4

East Kent College, Victoria Gardens, Broadstairs

Monday, April 8

Guardians of the Deep, Pegwell Bay.

Tuesday, April 9

Beach Plogging, Viking Bay.

Sunday, April 14

Ramsgate Litter Forum, Big Chine clear up

Tuesday, April 16

Easter Plogging, Hartsdown Park, Tivoli Park Avenue

Tonbridge and Malling

Saturday, March 23

Burham village annual clean up 10am to noon meet at the village hall in Rochester Road.

Sunday, March 24

Angel Lane clean up, from 10.30am to noon, Angel Lane, Tonbridge.

River Walk, Tonbrdige from 11am to 1pm.

Sussex Road Primary School Litter Pick, Tonbridge

Mereworth village clean up and Shipbourne village clean up.

Saturday, March 30

Ightham village clean up

West Malling village clean up meet at 10am at the village hall car park in Norman Road.

Ditton Churchyard clean up, Aylesford

Saturday, April 6

Hadlow Parish Council, Golden Green clean from 10am to noon meet at School Lane car park.

Sunday, April 7

Hadlow Parish Council, Hadlow clean up from 10am to noon, meet at School Lane car park.

East Peckham Parish Council & KCC clean up of the playing fields from 2pm to 3.30pm meet at the village hall car park in Bush Road.

Saturday, April 13

Woodland Walk Management Committee's clean up from 10am to noon, Higham Lane with the corner of Knight Road, Tonbridge.

Monday, April 15

Ditton Beavers, from 5pm to 6pm, Ditton.

Saturday, April 27

Snodland Volunteers clean up, Nevill Park Recreation Ground, Snodland.

Tunbridge Wells

There are several litter picks and clean ups taking place in the area during the campaign and people should visit the Keep Britain Tidy website to find out where and when they are happening.

Allison Ogden-Newton, Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, added: “The Great British Spring Clean is an opportunity for the millions of people who care about the environment on their doorstep to do something positive that will make a visible difference.

“Without councils across the country giving the campaign their backing, our volunteers would not be able to do the incredible job they do.”