The Big Ashfield Spring Clean has entered its second week with a focus on Kirkby.

Kirkby Rotary Club led a litter pick around the town centre, encouraging other local businesses get involved and do their bit to help make Ashfield a cleaner place to live and work.

Mark Cawar, Kirkby Rotary member, said: “Kirkby Rotarys support a number of local community initiatives and community projects. Assisting Ashfield District Council with its initiative of a BIG Ashfield Spring Clean was one such project we want to help and support.

“The support of local businesses, such as Feather Partnership Ltd, is welcomed and demonstrates their commitment to help give back to the community.

“We are asking for the support of local businesses and residents to help the Rotary Club and the council with this initiative. Many hands make light work, so if you can spare 30 minutes, one hour or more to help please do. Let’s help make Kirkby a cleaner, brighter place to live and work.”

Kirkby Rotary members were joined by council members and officers to pick up litter around Kirkby town centre. They also engaged with local businesses owners, encouraging them to get involved.

The council said small things like businesses picking up litter outside their premises, sweeping and weeding and cleaning windows can make a real difference to the look of the town centre.

Week one of the Spring Clean was a resounding success with hundreds of bags of extra waste being collected at kerb side collections.

The council received more than 1,000 requests for bulky waste collections and tonnes of waste was collected by the ‘Flying Skips’ on Saturday. Litter picks were also held across the district, including a successful session in Stanton Hill.

Coun Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “Thank you to everyone that got involved in the Spring Clean in Sutton and Huthwaite last week. The amount of waste collected is incredible, and we’re excited to launch week two in Kirkby, Selston, Jacksdale and Underwood this week.

“It’s great to see local communities and businesses getting involved. Today’s litter pick around Kirkby demonstrates the difference business owners can make to creating cleaner town centres.”

Local businesses, community groups and schools are being encouraged to organise litter picks in parks, open spaces and litter hot spots. Anyone interested in joining in with the campaign can contact Gillian Welch, senior community engagement officer, at [email protected] or call 01623 457535.