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organise the area’s first community litter-pick.

It quickly became apparent that litter and fly-tipping are endemic to Canterbury and to the district as a whole.

Having spent years battling with the council in the campaign to save Kingsmead Field from a housing development, one of the things I enjoy most about the litter campaign is that it provides an opportunity for residents and the council to work together in pursuit of a common goal.

The appointment of litter liaison councillors is an excellent initiative, enabling the council to become much more sensitive to residents’ concerns. We have jointly produced a Litter Action Guide, which gives answers to frequently asked questions about tackling litter. We have also brought residents’ associations together with councillors and council officers.

And we have also created the Canterbury “grot-spots” Facebook page, which allows people to post photos of particular problem areas. It helps the council and Serco direct resources to places which need them most.

Of course, there is lots more that needs to be done if we really want to sort out the litter problem. We need a sustained campaign involving takeaway outlets and local businesses, and we need to engage with schools, students and supermarkets.

Entrenched attitudes are going to take many years to overcome, but at least we are beginning to move in the right direc- tion. There is a growing sense of momentum and an unprecedented degree of willingness to cooperate on all sides.

At the weekend, Keep Britain Tidy held its Great British Spring Clean. Eight community litter-picks were held in Canterbury, and others took place in Chartham, Upper Harbledown, Bridge and Tyler Hill. St Stephen’s held the record number of litter-picks in any one ward, with two on Saturday and three on Sunday.

One of the really nice things about community litter-picks is that anyone of any age can get involved. Cleaning up shows you genuinely care about the area in which you live.

Most important of all, it shows you are proud of it.

The Upper Harbledown Association taking part in the British Spring Clean

Oaten Hill And South Canterbury Residents’ Association litter-picking