A NEW campaign has been launched to instil pride in people and encourage them to make a big difference in their community.

Residents, community groups and businesses across the Redcar and Cleveland area are set to answer the rallying call and make a pledge to improve the places close to their hearts.

The ‘this is Redcar & Cleveland Love it’ campaign is an initiative focusing on improving the environment and building pride in local communities.

Cllr Alec Brown, the council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Our environment belongs to all of us and deserves to be looked after and enhanced.

“People are proud of where they live and we want to create a social movement and buzz with residents, community groups and businesses to grow the number of people willing to take part and make the area an even better place.

“The ‘Love it’ campaign has the potential to empower the public to find ways to create positive changes that benefit the environment and economy and I would encourage everyone who loves where they live to join me in pledging their support.”

Community groups already signed up for the campaign include the Friends of Redcar Cemetery, which has worked tirelessly for years to improve the cemetery.

Group secretary Dot Ahmed said: “It is really important to keep the borough clean and tidy because we need to have pride in the area and be proud of where we live. It is up to everybody to do their bit.

“My pledge would be to keep on going with Friends of Redcar Cemetery because after ten years it is tricky to keep the momentum up, so my pledge is to do this for another ten years.”

The initiative is being launched with a pledge signing event on Redcar beach this morning (Friday 29), followed by a series of clean ups and litter picks across the borough.

Iain Sim, chief executive of Coast and Country, said: “We are very proud of our local communities and already support or manage a significant number of projects and schemes that enhance the lives of people across the area.

“To encourage individuals, businesses and organisations to come together to make a positive difference to their own neighbourhoods is a very positive move and we encourage everyone to get involved and do their ‘small thing to make a big difference.”

Kirsten Donkin, PR and Marketing Manager from PD Ports, added: “As part of our pledge to this campaign we aim to inspire even more young people by collaborating with our co-founded charity, The High Tide Foundation along with like-minded businesses and educational facilities to capture their imaginations and lift the lid on the opportunities on their doorstep."

To find out more about the project and to make your pledge visit www.redcar-clevelandloveit.co.uk