GROUPS across Wychavon helped to collect a total of 70 bags of rubbish as part of a clean up the nation campaign.

The Great British Spring Clean took place from Friday March 3 until Sunday March 5, challenging people to pick litter from their area.

It followed on from the successful Clean for the Queen campaign which took place last year to mark the queen's 90th birthday.

Councillor Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment and street scene on Wychavon District Council, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people from different communities coming together to rid the place they live of other people’s litter.

"Littering is selfish and thoughtless and there’s no excuse for it. Wychavon spends £1.5million a year on street cleaning and that’s money we could be putting to better use.

"It’s also illegal and could result in a £75 fine. So our message is simple, don’t drop it, bin it."

Wychavon District Council supported the event by donating litter picking equipment to parish councils, residents and community groups.

Wychavon’s street cleaning contractor FCC Environment also carried out additional litter picks along rural roads on top of its usual cleaning commitments.

Communities in Little Comberton, Bredon, Birlingham, Pershore, Evesham and Fladbury were out ridding the streets of litter in their area over whilst further events are planned in Aldington and Bishampton on Saturday, March 17.