EIGHT voluntary litter wardens have answered the call to arms in Malvern's war against litter louts.

The new recruits responded to a plea by Stephen Thomas, head warden for the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust.

People from Malvern Link, Link Top, Lower Howsell, Peachfield Road, Great Malvern, Malvern Wells and Cradley have offered their services either by picking up rubbish as they walk the dog or take the children to school, or by organising neighbourhood litter picks.

The Worcester-based Duckworth Trust supplies litter pickers, bags and gloves, and takes away refuse that is collected.

Mr Thomas, who lives in Malvern, said: "I think Malvern could do with a bit of litter picking. I can't understand why it gets in such a state.

"People flock to the hills in the summer and see the nice side of the town that is kept tidy, but when you go into the estates where the Council Taxpayers live, nothing seems to be done."

The Duckworth Trust concentrates on cleaning up green spaces, including those subject to fly tipping, but does not take responsibility for litter in the streets.

However, it does support residents who want to keep their own neighbourhood clean and tidy.

At Easter, the Enigma Park Business Partnership launched a competition to encourage businesses in the Spring Lane and Townsend Way area to tidy up their premises.

In addition, new litter warden Ann Silk, who is a Malvern town councillor, is looking for volunteers to help with a litter pick in Townsend Way on Wednesday, July 18, starting at 9am.

"There are two sorts of litter: the general throw-away sort and the large scale, on which we would need help," she said.

"There are two trolleys in the stream area in Townsend Way and a bollard and broken chains."

Anyone willing to help with the litter-pick or become a warden in their own neighbourhood should contact the Duckworth Trust on 01905 459343.