Local litter pickers are looking to encourage more people to volunteer their time to help clean up the streets of Ross.

Hildersley residents Elspeth Metcalfe and Steve Lambert regularly pick litter on the streets surrounding their houses and hope that more people will join them as ‘locality litter pickers’.

Having got in contact with Anne Taylor, who helps organise the Ross Community Litter Clean Up Crew, Elspeth and Steve carry out regular litter picks on an individual basis.

Speaking to the Ross Gazette, Elspeth said: “I have been litter picking along the road outside my house in Hildersley for about a year now.

‘‘I’ve always been keen to help out and when I heard about the Ross group I contacted Anne to ask how I could help.

“Unfortunately I have been unable to attend any of the regular litter picks on Sunday mornings as I go to church, so I tend to do litter picking when and where I could.”

As a ‘locality litter picker’, Elspeth helps out when she is able to and has found the role very rewarding.

She is joined in helping with litter picking by Steve Lambert.

Steve moved to Ross seven years ago and after a recent health scare, started litter picking after doctors advised him to get plenty of exercise.

Steve said: “In January, I was out walking and came across Elspeth on one of her litter picks.

‘‘After talking to her, I decided that litter picking could be beneficial to me in getting more exercise as well as helping keep Ross clean and tidy.

“Elspeth introduced me to Anne and since then I have been litter picking on my street in the Glebe housing estate three or four times a week, and also by the Larruperz centre once a week.”

Speaking about the litter crew, Steve added: “The Community Litter Clean Up Crew do such an amazing job, they are very well organised and I’m hoping to go along with them at some stage to take part in one of their litter picks as I’m looking forward to meeting some of the people involved.”

Both Elspeth and Steve hope that more people will follow their lead and help clean up their local areas.

“Litter pickers are easily affordable to get and even going out for half-an-hour can make a big difference,” said Elspeth.

“As someone who helps out I would encourage anyone to take part and volunteer, whether that be doing it on their own or as part of the community group.”

For more information on the RCLCUC and how you too can offer to help with litter picking in Ross, please email Anne Taylor on [email protected]