Community Clean Up In Darwen

As part of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, volunteers in Darwen braved the cold to help pick up litter in the Sudellside area of Darwen, Lancashire.

On a morning which saw local temperatures struggle to get above -2C, volunteers gathered outside Sudellside Community Centre at 10am hoping their efforts will help combat the problems of littering.

Armed with rubbish bags, litter pickers, gloves and special tabards, the group of adults and children made their way round the surrounding area, cleaning up rubbish which littered the streets.


The event was organised by Sudellside Environment Team in partnership with the Neighbourhoods and Learning Service in response to the local littering problem and it is hoped that not only will the streets look cleaner after the operation but it will also help deter people from littering in the future.

Hopefully residents will realise what's involved with cleaning up mess that other irresponsible people make and The Big Tidy Up encourage you to pick up and dispose of any litter you see on the streets to help keep Britain tidy.

The photograph above show some of the volunteers ready for action and the one below gives you some indication of what they had to contend with and how cold it was!

People involved in this community clean up included local residents, young offenders carrying our community reparation, Groundwork, Reach Out, the Police and the Council.

The Big Tidy Up campaign was started in September 2008 to help combat littering with the country's biggest ever tidy up! Their website www.thebigtidyup.org feature more advice on attending future tidy up operations in your area or how you can start your own local operation.


To date over 9,000 Tidy Up groups have been arranged up and down the UK and you can find your nearest upcoming event by entering your post code into the form on their website.

There is also an area for tracking the results of recent campaigns. To view how many bags of rubbish were collected by Sudellside Community Clean Up click here.

If you are interested in arranging a Tidy Up in your area please register your details with their website to receive a free tidy up kit with posters, stickers, tabard bibs and badges together with some top tips and essential guidance to carry out your tidy up safely!