Nearly 700 people in 80 groups collected almost 1.5 tonnes of rubbish during OxClean’s three Big Oxford Saturday Clean-Ups.

This was in spite of Covid restrictions and the theft over the winter of 325 litter-pickers from Oxford Civic Society’s storage unit.

The society was able to buy replacements in time for the event thanks to Oxford Direct Services, who donated 200, and the many individual supporters who contributed through JustGiving.

OxClean is an Oxford Civic Society initiative in partnership with Oxford City Council, The Oxford Times and local community groups and schools, dedicated to keeping the city clean and tidy all year round.

READ MORE: OxClean makes tidy sum to replace stolen litter pickers

Nearly 40 people took part in the Rose Hill litter pick on June 12, including 20 from the Nepali community, who cleaned up the whole of the Rose Hill estate and recreation ground.

OxClean coordinator Natasha Robinson said: “Although previous years may have seen a bigger turnout, this was a really great effort in the current circumstances, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part.

“We are especially grateful to the many generous people who made the event possible by contributing to our appeal for replacement litter-pickers and enabling us to equip all who wanted them.

READ MORE: Rubbish thieves clean out charity's litter pickers

“We are now looking forward to getting pickers back out for ‘Oxfordshire Great Big Green Week’ in September, and to building a cohort of Duke of Edinburgh student volunteers from the city schools.

“And of course, anyone who wants to tidy up their neighbourhood at any time can find advice on our website https://www.oxclean.org.uk/ "