FOUR hundred litter pickers are being made available to community groups by the organisers of the annual Oxford spring clean.

OxClean is already gearing up for next year’s citywide blitz on March 5 and 6.

And £2,500 from the Oxfordshire Community Foundation will ensure local groups are properly equipped for the annual event.

Ros Weatherall, chairman of the OxClean steering group, said: “We will be able to offer up to five free quality litter pickers to local community groups who register before the end of December.

“Initially, we will be giving priority to groups who took part this year and are registering again.

“After that we will be offering the litter pickers to people registering for the first time on a first come, first served basis. Our supplier, The Helping Hand Company, is supporting the next spring clean by providing a voucher enabling groups to purchase additional litter pickers and other equipment at discounted prices.

“This offer does not apply to schools and businesse who take part in OxClean, who we hope can acquire equipment themselves.”

This year, about 1,500 volunteers took part in a weekend litter blitz in March, with more than 100 local groups clearing up streets, parks, play areas, car parks, cycle tracks and allotments.

OxClean decided to seek funding to help groups make an even bigger difference.

Ms Weatherall said: “It means groups will have permanent access to the litter pickers for regular clean-ups throughout the year.”

Last year Oxford City Council works staff provided sacks, bins, litter pickers and gloves.

It is estimated that volunteers picked up the equivalent of about 700 households’ weekly rubbish over the two days. The event is organised by Oxford Civic Society and has the Oxford Mail’s sister paper The Oxford Times among its sponsors.

To register and for more details, go to oxclean.org.uk