RESIDENTS drew their litter-picking weapons in Barnard Castle yesterday (March 21), as part of a county-wide initiative to clean up the county.

More than 20 volunteers reported for duty at Scar Top to take part in the two-hour challenge as part of Durham County Council’s Big Spring Clean campaign.

Barnard Castle Town Council led the event, with five town councillors also getting stuck in along with residents of all ages from little children to pensioners.

Councillor Roger Peat, who was also on hand to give out the equipment provided by the county council, said the event had had a “really good turnout” for their third year taking part in it.

“It’s the amount of bottles that is the big thing that we have and we are covering Scar Top and around by the castle as well as the Teesdale sports centre and down to the hub,” he said.

The project is led by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England/LitterFree Durham, in partnership with Durham County Council’s Civic Pride team and Darlington Borough Council.

For more information visit litterfreedurham@durham.gov.uk