Residents, community groups, businesses and schools across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to get involved in the country's biggest mass-action environmental campaign - the Great British Spring Clean.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is once again supporting the campaign which runs from Friday 20 March to Monday 13 April.

Already 20 schools in Bath and North East Somerset have signed up to take part in the annual campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, which brings people together to clear up litter in towns, villages and the countryside.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "Littering is a blight on our communities and the countryside and is an anti-social activity which pollutes the environment. Of course, there would be no need for these litter picks if everyone disposed of their rubbish properly, but the Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way to make a real difference to your community.

"Last year dozens of residents and local organisations took part including schools, a Beaver group and staff from a fast food outlet. They collected more than 370 bags of litter including coffee cups, cigarette butts, takeaway boxes, cans and bottles.

"It's really easy to sign up for the Great British Spring Clean and we'll support those taking part with equipment and protective clothing as well as collecting and disposing of the bags of rubbish from litter picking events. By taking part you'll be helping to transform the district for the better, creating cleaner streets and parks, protecting our wildlife and, ultimately, stopping the tide of plastic that is doing so much damage to our environment."

So far 20 schools in our area have signed up to take part in the Great British Spring Clean using equipment provided by the council. Each school that has signed up will be able to keep the equipment for future litter picking events.

Currently staff in the council's cleansing team is more than half way through a six-week blitz, clearing litter from verges and hedgerows along 150 miles of the busiest main roads across the district. Last year this resulted in a staggering 3.5 tonnes of litter, the equivalent of a light goods vehicle, being removed.

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