RETAILERS are stepping up their campaign to keep Bishop Auckland tidy by enlisting the help of the Wombles.

Jean Wombwell, a member of the Town Forum, who runs Trimmers hairdressing and barbers shop, has turned to Uncle Bulgaria to support the town's Bin It campaign, launched earlier this year.

He will parade in the town to promote street cleaning from Wednesday, December 3 to Saturday, December 6, and spend time outside Trimmers giving away Bin It T-shirts.

Mrs Wombell has also contacted environmental campaign group ENCAMS to get support, and chewing gum manufacturer Wrigleys.

A spokesman for Wear Valley District Council said that it had made a bid for funding to join ENCAMS and would not find out until early next year whether the bid had been successful.

He said: "The Bin It Campaign has been very successful so far. We had a gum removal machine work through the night for two weeks just recently but this is only something we can only do once a year. We will be planning to do it again after the school holidays next year.''