PEOPLE in Banbury have been rallying round to clean up their area as they prepare for the Queen's 90th birthday next month.

Schools, community groups and businesses took part at the weekend in the national initiative Clean for the Queen, which encourages residents to smarten up their streets and green spaces.

Among those taking part were pupils at Hill View Primary School, who helped to clear the area around the school building and in Hill View Park.

Children and teachers grabbed their litter pickers, bin bags and high-visibility jackets to help make the area look spotless.

Joey Scurr, 11, was one of those who went out to clear the park.

He said: "The clean-up is good. Too many people litter and there needs to be a change because it harms our environment."

Deputy headmistress Emma Gould said: "It's a brilliant initiative and I hope the children learn more about taking care of their environment through it.

"They have absolutely loved the experience and it's been great to be out in the community."

The initiative has been backed by Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, who took time out on Friday to visit schools taking part.

She said it was important for people to take pride in how their community looked.

She added: "It is brilliant that so many schools in north Oxfordshire have supported the largest community action against litter this weekend.

"Encouraging children to pick up litter through Clean for the Queen will show them not to throw litter when they grow up.

"I really hope that we can make some form of national spring clean an annual event."

Mrs Prentis visited Bure Park School in Bicester, Christopher Rawlins School in Adderbury, the Grange School and Hill View School in Banbury.

Members of the Banbury Community Action Group also collected 16 bags of rubbish while out in the town centre.

Cherwell District Council helped by giving out free waste collection bags, litter pickers and the high visibility jackets.

Debbie Pickford, the council's lead member for clean and green, said: "The campaign is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce our vision for a cleaner, greener Cherwell by encouraging individuals, businesses and organisations to take part in the UK's largest ever litter pick."

The campaign has been organised by Country Life magazine in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy.

Although the majority of events nationwide took place over the weekend, there will be clean-ups right up until the Queen's birthday on April 21, prompting a series of celebrations throughout the year.