VOLUNTEERS and nursery school children have kicked off the Great British Spring Clean 2023 in Thurrock.

Today (Friday, 17 March), volunteers at Aveley Community Hub including seven nursery-age children with nursery staff and local volunteer litter pickers joined Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Thurrock Council's cabinet member for environment, and Aveley ward councillor Cllr Maureen Pearce to get the national campaign's fortnight of activities underway.

Cllr Jefferies said: "Children hold the key to building a sustainable future and involving them in initiatives like the Great British Spring Clean at such a young age is a great way to let them know how important our environment is.

"The Great British Spring Clean is an annual campaign from Keep Britain Tidy which is running until Sunday, 2 April.

"This year's theme focuses on the pride our Litter Heroes have for their local community and it's clear that our litter picking groups in Thurrock have plenty of pride in their borough.

"Our Clean and Green Team will support this initiative again this year and we will provide litter pickers and bags to groups who want to hold their own litter pick for the campaign.

"I'm really pleased that volunteers from Aveley Community Hub, local volunteer litter pickers and children at Explorers Aveley have been involved. Thank you to everyone for coming along."

Find out more about how to get involved in a community litter pick online.