Residents, community groups and businesses across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to support the country's biggest mass-action environmental campaign and become #litterheroes by getting involved in this year's Great British Spring Clean.

The annual campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, brings people together to clear up litter in towns villages and the countryside.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is once again supporting the campaign which runs from Friday 28 May – Sunday 13 June.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services said: "The Great British Spring Clean is all about demonstrating that you love where you live, whether that's by pledging to litter pick while you're walking the dog, taking the kids to school or hosting a clean-up. By taking part you could make a real difference to your community. Thank you to the groups and individuals who pick litter all year round and do a tremendous job to help keep our area tidy.

"Most people dispose of their rubbish responsibly, but with more of us making the most of our open spaces during lockdown and more recently socialising outdoors we have sadly seen an increase in littering - from bottles and cans, to takeaway food cartons and face masks. It has a huge impact on our environment and wildlife and is unpleasant and unacceptable.

"My message really is simple, bin your rubbish or take it home. If you don't, and you are caught littering, you could be issued with a £150 fixed penalty notice from our enforcement team."

Earlier this year the council's cleansing team spent seven weeks clearing litter from verges and hedgerows along 150 miles of the busiest main roads across the district. They removed a staggering 911 bags of litter weighing 6.26 tonnes, about the weight of an African elephant.

In previous years community clean-ups held as part of the Great British Spring Clean have also had a big impact, with hundreds of bags of rubbish collected across the district.

To become a #litterhero by joining or hosting a litter pick event in your area register at www.keepbritaintidy.org

#NoPlaceForLitter have a limited amount of equipment they can lend to B&NES residents for volunteer litter picks. For more information and to reserve equipment please email the nearest hub:

• Keynsham - [email protected]

• Bath - [email protected]

• Radstock - [email protected]

Rubbish bags are available for community groups or businesses organising events and the council will arrange to pick up the litter collected. For more information email: [email protected]

To find out how you can do more to reduce waste and help address the climate emergency visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/climate-emergency