More than 50 schools, community groups, businesses and volunteers were involved in the fifth International Clean Up Mansfield Day — the biggest and best yet.

There were litter picks galore; benches, street furniture and a park pavilion were given a lick of paint and chewing gum removed; bulbs were planted; and green spaces across the district and beyond were given a tidy-up.

The annual Mansfield District Council project brings together the 40 Mansfields from across the globe together to try to make them the cleanest towns in the world.

Communities in Mansfield, Texas; Mansfield, Pennsylvania; Mansfield, Minnesota; and Mansfield, Massachusetts, USA; as well as Mansfield in Victoria, Australia, joined in.

Closer to home, students from Vision West Nottinghamshire College took part and several primary schools held litter picks and planting events, including Wynndale, Crescent, Asquith, King Edward, Sutton Road, Oak Tree, Berry Hill, Mansfield; Farmilo Primary and Nursery, Pleasley; Holly, Forest Town; St Edmund’s C of E, Mansfield Woodhouse; and Eastlands, Meden Vale.

Among the Mansfield businesses that got involved, supported by Mansfield BID, were Marks & Spencer, Boots, McDonald’s, Swinton Insurance, Ian Williams property services and the Four Seasons Shopping Centre. KFC and Costa Coffee in Forest Town, and Veolia also took part.

As well as councillors and staff from Nottinghamshire Police and the district council, community groups also did their bit, including in Mansfield — Corner House Care Home, Maun Conservation Group, Mansfield Roller Derby, Friends of Forest Road Park, Inspire and Achieve, and Friends of Fisher Lane Park.

Forest Town Nature Conservation Group, Warsop Footpaths and Countryside Group and Mansfield Woodhouse groups the 4th Mansfield Woodhouse Scout Group, the Friends of Yeoman Hill Park, Sherwood Court Gardening Club and the Friends of Hornby Plantation got involved.

Coun Andrew Tristram, portfolio holder for the environment, said: “What an amazing effort there has been this year. Working together really can make a big difference to our local environment.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part, including those in Mansfields around the world. Let’s do it again next year.”

To sign up for next year’s event on 8th June, go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/cleanup

Pictured is Coun John Coxhead, (right) ward councillor for Yeoman Hill, Mansfield Woodhouse, with staff and residents of Sherwood Court, Yeoman Hill, at a litter pick.