Sandwell’s ever-popular Big Spring Clean campaign is back for 2017 – and local people and organisations are invited to get involved with litter picking, graffiti removal, planting and painting. The campaign will launch with a community litter-picking event at Victoria Park, Smethwick, on Friday 3 March. Sandwell Council has teamed up again with waste partner Serco and local charity Litter Watch to recruit volunteers for the 11th annual Sandwell Big Spring Clean.

Sandwell’s campaign this year ties in with a national Great British Spring Clean and will run until the end of September. It will also help celebrate Litter Watch’s 20th birthday. Residents are also asked to help identify pieces of land that, subject to the owners’ permission, could be transformed into wild flower areas, herb gardens or potato patches.

Councillor David Hosell, the council’s cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “The Big Spring Clean is always popular with local people and organisations, and we thank the thousands of people who’ve taken part in our previous campaigns. “It’s a great way to get people together – with residents, community groups, faith groups, schools and businesses all supporting the campaign. Volunteers can decide what they'd like to do on their Big Spring Clean event including litter picking, graffiti removal, planting or painting. This campaign builds on our regular cleaning and upkeep of streets and parks, and encourages volunteering and community partnerships.”

Jason Holtom, partnership director for Serco in Sandwell, said: “We are very pleased to be getting involved in such a positive campaign for another year running.

“The campaign continues to go from strength to strength and it’s really great to see the enthusiasm for the Big Spring Clean and what can be achieved when members of a community come together.

“Pledging a small amount of time can make a big difference to a local area and we encourage volunteers to get involved to help improve their neighbourhoods.”