FED up of the area you live in being a dumping ground for litter? Fancy rolling up your sleeves to do something about it?

As part of the Big Clean campaign, Rochdale Council is urging residents to organise their own Big Clean community litter picks.

Whether you’re a member of a community or friends group, at school or you fancy getting your neighbours together to have a blitz on litter in your street, the council will support you every step of the way.

It will also provide you with Big Clean litter pick posters to help you promote your event.

On the day of your litter pick the council will send officers to provide support.

Plus it will arrange to deliver and pick up all the equipment you need – including litter pickers, gloves, rubbish bags, high visibility vests and health and safety guidance.

The council will also collect all the bags of rubbish you gather.

Once you’ve completed your litter pick, everyone who took part will receive a Big Clean litter pick certificate in appreciation of all your hard work.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Big Clean litter picks will offer a great opportunity for residents to work together with the council and lead by example.

"After all, we all want an environment where we are proud to live."

Over the past few weeks, the council has been asking local people, community groups, businesses, friends and neighbours to get together and come up with some ideas about grot spots that they’d like to see tidied up as part its Big Clean campaign.

An extra £100,000 has been made available and all the ideas for where that money should be spent have come from you – so thank you to everyone who has nominated a site.

The council is currently sifting through all the site nomination forms to see which areas best deserve improvements. Please note private and commercial land are not eligible for this scheme.

All the sites chosen will make a positive difference, make the neighbourhood a cleaner and greener place, involve the local community in some way and have a lasting impact.

If you want to organise a Big Clean litter pick in your area or you want to report a grot spot, call the Big Clean hotline on 0845 226 1800.