RESIDENTS are being urged to dust off their brooms and pull on their gardening gloves for a spring clean that is set to sweep through the borough.

As part of The Deal, at least 30 community clean-ups have already been organised, with hundreds of volunteers planning activities to tidy up their neighbourhoods.

Wigan Council has backed the national Great British Spring Clean campaign, supported by Keep Britain Tidy, being held on the first weekend in March.

But the borough is going the extra mile with Big Borough Spring Clean events being held from Monday, February 27, to Sunday, March 5.

Community groups, councillors, businesses and schools are all being encouraged to sign up to the spring clean and help rid the borough of unsightly litter.

Action is being taken in certain areas across the borough where there have been a large number of litter and dog fouling complaints, including Leigh town centre.

The council will be carrying out enforcement in hotspot areas for litter to catch any culprits blighting the environment.

Cllr Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for environment, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for communities across the borough to come together for a big spring clean.

“It is about bringing people together to make a difference.

“Through The Deal the council is already working with our residents to increase their responsibility for their neighbourhoods.

“We believe there are long-term health benefits, both physical and mental, to residents being more involved in their communities.

“We have fantastic volunteers who are leading the clean-ups and would encourage as many people as possible to get involved and give something back.”

Anyone interested in joining a clean-up in their area should visit wigan.gov.uk/springclean for more details.