DARLINGTON Council is urging people to get involved in the Big Spring Clean by volunteering for litter picks across the borough.

The Big Spring Clean is a national initiative encouraging residents to take pride in their environment by carrying out voluntary litter picks in public areas.

The first in the Darlington series takes place tomorrow (Tuesday, April 8) at the Play Dene off Widdowfield Street and will be followed by events at parks and nature reserves across the town.

Phillippa Scrafton, waste and recycling services development officer at Darlington Council, said: “If you’ve noticed that a park or patch of land near where you live needs a bit of TLC, this is the perfect time to get together and do something about it.

“We’ve have lots of litter picks organised but if there is somewhere that you think needs attention, get in touch and we can you to help to organise a litter pick of your own.”

The Environment Agency is supporting the initiative and will be carrying out a river cleanse this Thursday between Polam Hall Bridge and Halfords.

A public litter pick has also been organised for Thursday at South Park to Hammond Drive along the river; meet at the Clock Tower in South Park at 10am to take part.

The weekend will see Rockwell and Maidendale nature reserves receive a clean-up.

All events are organised by Darlington Borough Council in partnership with Litter Free Durham and to find out more, or organise an event of you own, contact Pippa Smailing on 01325 406719 or Phillippa Scrafton on 01325 406648 or visit www.litterfreedurham.org.