WORCESTERSHIRE comedian Alistair McGowan was back on home soil this week as he launched a campaign to crack down on litter louts.

The impressionist was in Pershore to lend his support to Wychavon District Council's Communities Against Litter project.

The campaign aims to increase people's awareness of the litter problem, recognise the work done by community litter pickers and encourage more parish councils to introduce their own clean-up schemes.

Mr McGowan, who is currently starring in The Little Shop Of Horrors, in London's West End, said: "We are always wary of showing any pride in our country. Taking part in a litter pick is part of that and we need to show some pride. I also say congratulations for the work that has been done to prevent littering here and the attitude towards it is terrific - a lot of people's attitude to-wards litter is rubbish. It is ironic that people like to keep their cars clean but don't mind driving down roads that are very untidy.

"People who drop litter can't have a conscience as I can't believe that they can just walk past and not pick it up. It is also, of course, a criminal offence to drop litter and is sheer laziness.

"About £400 million a year is spent on cleaning up litter and that is such a waste when you consider that it could be spent on an arts centre, hospitals or even an old local cinema."

Jean Dowty, chairman of Wychavon District Coun-cil, said: "Surveys show that quality of environment is one of the most important issues in the area. We are proud of our environment in Wychavon and want to keep it that way but it cannot be taken for granted."

Victoria Trotman and Georgina Lawrence from Defford-cum-Besford School, near Pershore, were presented with prizes by Mr McGowan after their poster designs were chosen to publicise the project.

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