ORGANISERS of the annual Oxford spring clean say the number of schools and groups that have stepped forward to help is nearing the hundred mark.

OxClean is appealing for volunteers to take part in the spring clean over two days on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3.

They say they are now hopeful that the total number of volunteers will exceed the 2,000 people who joined the two-hour litter pick across the city last year.

OxClean is run by Oxford Civic Society, with Oxford Mail sister paper The Oxford Times and Oxford City Council again acting as partners.

Last spring saw 118 community groups and state schools leading the way, removing massive quantities of litter and scrap that blighted the city.

OxClean spokesman Pauline Martin said a high level of support was coming in from schools, residents’ groups, community organisations and local businesses.

She added: “We are delighted that this year we’re seeing many individuals coming forward. We are putting them in touch with some of the groups taking part.

“From February 1 we will be allocating equipment to groups. It’s all moving forward.”

OxClean will distribute litter pickers and sacks to registered groups, with the council picking up whatever is collected.

While many groups focus on their local neighbourhood and open spaces, groups are also encouraged to adopt neglected ‘grot spots’ across the city.

An impressive cross-section of the city has taken part in previous years including student groups, friends of local parks, allotment associations, nurseries, children’s centres and parish councils. Rowers and canoeists also got involved, removing rubbish from rivers.

* Anyone wishing to register or report local ‘grot spots’ should visit oxclean.org