MORE than 2,000 people are expected to take to the streets of Oxford tomorrow and Saturday for the annual spring clean of the city.

Some 122 community groups and schools have responded to the OxClean appeal for volunteers, who will take part in two-hour litter-picks across the city.

OxClean spokesman Christine Thompson said; “This is our fifth annual event and the turnout is fantastic. The number more than matches last year’s record.

“The volunteers represent an impressive cross-section from all corners of the city. We’ll see volunteers from allotment associations, friends of parks, business residents’ associations, environment groups, parish councils, tennis clubs, rotary clubs, student unions, churches and mosques.”

As usual, brownies, scouts, wildlife trust volunteers and schools will pitch in.

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

While many groups focus on their local neighbourhood and open spaces, groups have been encouraged to adopt neglected ‘grot spots’.

Ms Thompson said the OxClean’s benefits extended beyond rubbish. She said: “Many people met neighbours, got to know each other and took year-round action in their neighbourhoods.”