More than 306 bags of rubbish were collected by 45 groups in just one day as part of International Clean Up Mansfield Day.

The rubbish was collected in Mansfield, UK, by 10 businesses, 20 schools and colleges, 12 community groups, councillors and two members of the public.

They collected 130 bags more than at the first event last year, which won a community award from the national Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

More international groups took part this year — in Connecticut, Missouri and Ohio in the USA, and in Victoria in Australia. Groups in Pennsylvania, USA and Ontario in Canada held events at a later date.

In the UK, everyone from toddlers to residents in their 80s took part, including schoolchildren, friends of parks’ groups, residents from Corner House Care Home, McDonald’s employees and a bridal shop.

A mountain of the rubbish was created in the Market Place in Mansfield town centre, where there was also an information stand.

All UK participants will be invited to attend a ceremony to be presented with certificates. Awards will be presented to the best business, school, friends’ group, community group, young person and international group taking part.

Plans are already under way for an even bigger event next year.
Coun Philip Shields, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The community spirit within Mansfield district never ceases to amaze me. We were overwhelmed by the amount of effort made both here and in Mansfields on the other side of the world.

“The huge amount of rubbish collected highlights the problem and we hope it will make people think twice about dropping litter.”

To see photos of International Clean Up Mansfield Day and keep up-to-date with plans for next year, go to facebook.com/cleanupmansfield