Spring cleaning has started early in west Oxfordshire - with the launch of a month-long litter blitz on roadside rubbish.

Six workers from the district council's street scene team are trawling roadsides along the main roads in the area to clear debris which has accumulated over the winter.

In the first nine days of the campaign, which began on January 23, the team collected three tonnes of rubbish - including larger items left by fly-tippers, such as old tyres and wheels, and even a washing machine.

Collected items are put into grey sacks and stacked alongside the roads, ready to be picked up.

Over the course of the 26-day blitz, the team will clean up 156km of roadsides and verges.

As the team is working on foot, drivers are being urged to keep an eye open for them and take extra care when passing or overtaking.

Bob Lightfoot, the council's environmental operations manager, said: "The clear-up is being carried out in preparation for the council to start grass cutting in the spring. At this time of year, grass verges tend to die back, leaving litter exposed and creating an unsightly view.

"As well as helping to improve the environment, the blitz also cuts the risk of large items getting caught up in and damaging grass-cutting equip- ment."

David Harvey, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "The amount of rubbish and debris already collected by the team is staggering and once again illustrates the problem of litter and fly-tipping in our communities, which is simply unacceptable.

"The team is doing a great job at clearing up this mess for the benefit of us all and, in particular, the environment.

"I really hope this makes people think twice before they drop rubbish - and to report anyone they see fly-tipping."

Over the past two years, West Oxfordshire District Council has picked up an average of 1,350 tonnes of litter per year from streets and roadsides.

To report a problem with dumped rubbish in west Oxfordshire, you can fill out an online litter problem report on the council's website, www.westoxon.gov.uk * Fly-tipping can also be reported online at the same address, or by calling the council's street scene team on 01993 861020.