WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local community groups to pick up bags of litter to raise funds and improve the local environment this Summer.

The MP helped to launch the annual Keep Britain Tidy campaign which marks its 70th anniversary this year, and in March she went out with a litter picking squad in Clifton upon Teme to collect roadside rubbish.

Both Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils run campaigns allowing voluntary groups to pick rubbish along a selected street as well as providing kit to carry out the important task.

Dame Harriett said: “Whenever I visit primary schools, the pupils often share their concerns about the mess that builds up on our streets with people dumping rubbish rather than using a bin.

“It’s up to all of us to do our bit to keep our local environment tidy and I’ve been encouraging local schools and voluntary groups to get out and help to keep West Worcestershire tidy.

“The Adopt-a-Street campaign is really effective and I am aware of small voluntary groups across the area who keep their own environment tidy.

“Of course, we would all much rather people didn’t through rubbish from their cars but we are all grateful for the people who go out in all weathers to keep Britain tidy.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for West Worcestershire is Dan Boatright-Greene.

Natalie McVey is standing for the Green Party.