ROCHDALE Council’s ‘Big Clean’ campaign is sweeping its way to a more welcoming area for everyone – but it’s not just about getting rid of fly-tipping and litter.

Chewing gum on pavements and graffiti make the town just as uninviting and the council needs you to report it.

The council recently invested in revolutionary machines to help get rid of gum and graffiti, so if you know an area which needs them call the Big Clean team.

The new machines allow street cleaning teams to remove gum from pavements much more efficiently with environmentally-friendly chemicals.

Previously, power hoses would be used to get rid of gum from footpaths, which often meant having to close public rights of way due to spray.

The graffiti machines allow teams to brush a chemical over the affected surface, then carry out a high pressure wash to simply rinse the graffiti away.

The Big Clean sweep of the borough is well underway, but you can still help make a real difference to our area by working with the council to host a  litter pick.

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, why not do something about it and have some fun at the same time?

And your event could be covered in the Observer.

The council will help you organise your litter pick and it will also provide posters so you can put them up in public places and tell people about it.

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 the bags of rubbish you gather.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for the environment and sustainability, said: “What better way to put something back into the local community than by working with the council and doing a litter pick?

“You’ll be amazed by how much rubbish you actually collect and when you look back and see what you’ve achieved you’ll have a great feeling of satisfaction.”

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

If your area needs a Big Clean with the chewing gum or graffiti machines or 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 or email environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk