Big thanks to Sandwell's 2,000 Big Spring Clean volunteers
More than 2,000 hard-working volunteers who hit the the streets to take part in Sandwell's Big Spring Clean have been praised for taking pride in their community.
The annual multi-award winning campaign takes place over the borough's six towns, covering around 120 different events to leave Sandwell with a sparkling finish.
This year Sandwell Council worked alongside supporters Serco and local charity Litter Watch to celebrate the borough's 40th anniversary - and the figure featured prominently in this year's spring clean.
The many volunteers included pupils from Joseph Turner Primary School in Tipton and members of the Lyng estate, West Bromwich.
The clean-up involved targeting 40 miles worth of pavements in litter picking, planting 40 trees, working with 40 schools and painting 40 metres of fencing and railing across the borough, as well as working on 130 miles worth of litter picking collecting over 800 bags of litter.
The campaign, which started eight years ago, has been running since this spring and continues to run through until the end of summer and with organisers calling on the local communities and groups to help with the litter picking and improvement events, hundreds of parts of the borough have benefitted from the scheme.
Councillor Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for highways and environment, said: "Local residents and groups have responded magnificently to our appeals and have shown a great sense of pride in their area.
"They have worked tremendously well and have donated a great deal of time and effort in their neighbourhoods, parks, canal paths and local open spaces.
"They have shown an amazing sense of pride over the years, generously donating their time to help improve neighbourhoods, parks, canal paths and open spaces working to pick litter, painting and removing graffiti."
Oldbury based recycling company Serco, who work alongside the campaign, providing support to those involved.
Jason Holtom, partnership director for Serco, added: "Serco have been involved in the Big Spring Clean for three years now and it's great to see local people getting so involved.
"The campaign is not just about local improvements, it's about community spirit and we are delighted we can help residents in their local areas."
