SOME main roads are looking a bit cleaner – after being given a spruce up in an early spring clean.

Members of Hambleton District Council’s waste and Street Scene teams have been tackling the growing amount of waste littering routes across the area.

They concentrated on parts of A19 between Thirsk and York, the A172 from the Middlesbrough boundary to Swainby, and the A168 Northallerton to Thirsk road.

They took advantage of the suspended green waste collection weeks and cleared grass verges and lay-bys as part of continuing work to clear them of discarded litter.

And with another week of work to come the team have already collected more than 850 black sacks of rubbish as well as televisions, mattresses, a wardrobe, settees, numerous vehicle parts, and 13 tyres.

"It is very disappointing that some people care so little about the countryside and the environment that they continue to deposit not only rubbish, but even items such as furniture, from their vehicles on to the roadsides,” said Cllr Brian Phillips.

“Hambleton is determined to crackdown on fly tipping which not only pollutes our countryside but costs the council considerable amounts of money to clear away.

“I would urge anyone witnessing fly tipping to report it and help keep Hambleton clean and tidy.”

To report fly tipping waste contact 01609-779977 giving as much information as you can – including vehicle makes and registrations if possible.