PEOPLE turned out in force to tidy up their community, as they took part in the national Great British Spring Clean campaign.

Over the first week of March, staff and councillors with Hambleton District Council joined residents in turning out to clean up areas of the district.

Across the UK up to half a million people have been out and about clearing up the places they love as part of a wider campaign to rid the country of litter.

The campaign, backed by wildlife presenter Steve Backshall and organisations including Keep Britain Tidy, the Women’s Institute, the RSPCA and a range of other organisation and businesses has resulted in the biggest community-led clean-up the country has ever seen.

Community litter picks took place in Northallerton, Leeming Bar, Alne and Stokesley resulting in 124 sacks of rubbish being collected. Further community litter picking events are taking place later this month in Tholthorpe, East Cowton and Stillington.

Councillor Stephen Watson, portfolio holder for Environmental Health, Waste and Recycling said: “We were delighted to participate alongside so many willing volunteers who all played their bit in helping make Hambleton a cleaner place to live.”