A RALLYING call has been issued to assemble a team of litter pickers to take part in The Big Spring Clean.

The joint initiative, organised by LitterFree Durham in partnership with Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, will run from February 27 until April 16 with litter picks taking place across the area.

Last year in Darlington, 839 people joined 45 litter picks during which 786 bags of rubbish and 2.5 tons of bulky waste were collected.

Councillor Gerald Lee, chairman of LitterFree Durham, said: “The efforts of the many volunteers who take part in our annual Big Spring Clean really make a difference in tidying up our towns and villages. Every year more and more volunteers have signed up to take part in their local community litter picks and I hope this trend continues.”

The initiative is also backed by Ron Hogg, Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington.

For more information about the scheme visit www.litterfreedurham.org or register at litterfreedurham@darlington.gov.uk