A dedicated army of 3,000 volunteers has declared war on West Berkshire litter.

It’s being run with military precision from a Thatcham family garage crammed with bulging cardboard boxes soon to be sent to an international recycling plant in London.

Most of those involved are contacted and directed through Facebook and similar social media websites.

A staggering 844 kilos of litter has already been collected in Newbury, Thatcham, and surrounding areas since the project was launched last January.

Jana Little, a full-time working mum of two, took up the challenge after her dog cut its paw for the third time on discarded soft drinks cans spread around a Thatcham park, and feared children could be hurt there.

Non-stop Jana, 39, sifts the waste as it arrives, packs it in boxes, and posts it weekly to TerraCycle UK who award points that are converted into a fee, which goes direct to her chosen charity, Canine Partners.

Jana and her incredible army have already raised £1,215 for just seven months of domestic and commercial rubbish!

TerraCycle UK then sell the rubbish to companies who turn it into useful home and public items, including park benches.

Thatcham mayor, Ian Cover, has written to Jana offering his personal support, and inviting ideas on what specific help he can give.

Jana said last night: “I’ve been greatly surprised by the high number of West Berkshire people who care so much about waste and the environment.

“The response has been terrific. I thank everyone in West Berkshire who is putting health and safety first.”

Jana added that TerraCycle UK accepts most flexible food packaging, which includes toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, yoghurt pots, crisp packets, drinks cans, plastic containers, and anything that would usually end up in landfill or be incinerated, and pollute the atmosphere.

Somehow, she also finds time to collect aluminium waste to raise funds for Help the Heroes and Breast Cancer Care.

Making a priceless comment, Jana said, “A headmaster invited me to speak to his pupils about my project, and when he asked what I’d talk about, I said, “Rubbish! I only talk rubbish!”

Meanwhile, the amazing army marches on, and should you wish to join up, Jana can be contacted on Facebook groups ‘Thatcham and Newbury Plastic Free’, Zero Waste UK, and ‘Tadley and Villages Green Community’.