People, schools, businesses, conservation and community groups have been urged to help improve the appearance of the Mansfield district by signing up to take part in International Clean-Up Mansfield Day on 9th June.

The event, organised by Mansfield District Council, is in its fifth year and attracts participants from towns and cities called Mansfield in the USA and Australia as well as in the UK.

People can can sign up online at www.mansfield.gov.uk/cleanup to take part in big or small activities that improve the local environment. These can include picking up litter, planting trees or bulbs, cleaning or painting your premises or anything else of your choice.

Plans are well underway for June’s event with previous participants locally as well as in Pennsylvania in the USA, and in Victoria, Australia, having expressed an interest in being involved.

Cllr Andrew Tristram, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Our council staff including Street Cleansing and Parks teams do a great job all year round of keeping our district clean and looking good but this is your chance to get involved and help us to make a special concentrated effort to improve the area around where you live or work.

“There are lots of ways to get involved and they don’t have to involve giving up lots of your time – you could pledge to pick litter on your walk to work or during your lunch break.

“Volunteering has lots of benefits including making a difference, being part of a community, meeting people and making new friends, and learning new skills. There’s nothing to lose so sign up now!”

Like the International Clean Up Mansfield Day Facebook page at facebook.com/cleanupmansfield to keep up to date with the latest news and to share your own activities and photos.

For further information contact Datsa Gaile, Town Centre Promotions Officer, at [email protected] or on 01623 463818.