BUDDING litter-busters are being urged to take part in a national clean-up event.

Braintree Council is calling on residents across the district to get involved with Keep Britain Tidy’s #BigBagChallenge as part of the Great British Spring Clean for 2022.

This year’s Keep Britain Tidy campaign runs from March 25 to April 10.

The Great British Spring Clean is now in its seventh year and brings together the public, organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment.

The council is calling on people to join forces and pledge to pick a bag of litter from nearby streets, beauty spots and beaches.

The call to action comes as the charity reveals taking eco action in the outdoors appears to be critical to the wellbeing of communities, with significant benefits to people’s mental health.

In a survey of people who took part in 2021, 86 per cent said volunteering helped improve their mood, up from 79 per cent in 2020.

As well as polluting, litter harms wildlife, pets and cattle.

It costs the Braintree district’s taxpayers £1.54million a year to keep the district tidy.

READ MORE >> Bunnies are such a hoppy couple and are looking for a forever home

Council environment boss Wendy Schmitt said: “Every act to protect the environment, no matter how small, makes a difference – a difference to our planet, to the wildlife that we share it with, to our communities, and to our own health and well-being.

“I am keen we all get involved in this annual campaign again this year. We, as a council will be doing our bit by supporting local community litter-picks, our Green Heart Champion volunteers and anyone else who wants to join in, by offering the loan of litter-picking equipment for local people to use.

“We will also be undertaking a deep street cleanse of an eight-mile stretch of the A120 that runs through our district, involving traffic management and overnight working to litter-pick the verges and central reservation over two weekends in early April.”

To get involved, visit keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean.

To sign up as a Braintree Council Green Heart Champion or request litter-picking equipment, contact the council online at Braintree.gov.uk/Braintree-district/green-heart-essex or email greenheartchampions@braintree.gov.uk.