A WORCESTER-based environmental charity is gearing up for its annual month-long campaign to clean up the city.

The Rubbish? Sort It! campaign, spearheaded by the Worcestershire Duckworth Trust, sees volunteers hitting the streets armed with litter pickers and bin bags cleaning away the unsightly waste left by others.

So far, about 25 litter picking events have been organised across the county. But the trust is calling on more people, community groups and schools to sign up. And, after last year's success, the campaign will once again target the canal, as a barge will travel from Perdiswell to Diglis pulling rubbish out of the water and from the towpath.

Last year, they collected an amazing 20 tonnes of waste from the water and towpath.

In total, about 30 tonnes was collected during the entire 2005 campaign with 625 people taking part 32 litter picking events, which resulted in 257 litter bags being filled and an additional 90 bags that went away for recycling. Mark Driscoll, project manager for the trust, said: "People are talking more about environmental issues but there is still a lot of work to do.

"Certainly, recycling has seen a big increase over the years, with the kerbside recycling and now the wheelie bins."

"This campaign is packed full of community action. We encourage as many people as possible to register with us to organise an event as part of the campaign."

As well as the litter picking events, there will also be other activities taking place, including a poster competition for under 18s.

The campaign, which will take place between Sat-urday, April 1, and Saturday, May 6, will also coincide with the launch of Worcester City Council's litter strategy, which is a major part of a long-term aim for Worcester to win the annual Britain's Cleanest City Award by 2011.

To register and organise a litter picking event, as well as more information about the activities, call 01905 734934.