A litter pick charity that was cleaned out – is back on course to clean up.

The organisers of Oxford’s annual neighbourhood cleaning event OxClean had 365 of their litter pickers stolen.

But following an appeal on a JustGiving page, they have now been able to buy 250 replacements and are still accepting donations as they need about 100 more.

Even so the group is forging ahead with three consecutive Big Clean-up Saturdays on May 29, June 5 and June 12.

The Big Clean-up Saturdays will be supporting the Great British Spring Clean initiative and will help to empower people to take action for a greener Britain.

Natasha Robinson, OxClean co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted that Oxford will be taking part in the Great British Spring Clean this year over a period of three Saturdays and because of generosity so far, our charity will be able to continue to support you and your groups with equipment.”

The group said litter had become a bigger problem than ever during lockdown and are urged people to participate.

Dr Robinson said: “There has never been a more important time to get involved with this event and if you’re sick of seeing discarded face masks and plastic– do something about it and join one of our Clean Up Saturdays.”

She added: “Following kind donations after OxClean’s litter pickers were stolen last month, OxClean will be able to continue to support many groups with equipment on a first-come first served basis.

“You can take part as an individual or as a group and simply need to register, so that the charity can co-ordinate the city’s effort."

The equipment will be put into quarantine before and after use and other Covid safety precautions, detailed on the website, will be in place for litter pickers.

OxClean is an Oxford Civic Society initiative dedicated to keeping Oxford clean and tidy all year round, ensuring that the city is a welcoming and pleasant place for people to live, work and visit.

Organisers work in partnership with Oxford City Council, The Oxford Times and local community groups and schools.

Oxford Civic Society was finalising plans for this year when they discovered their equipment had been taken from their lock-up store.

Dr Robinson said at the time: “We discovered the loss on April Fools’ Day – but it isn’t at all funny.

"We have no idea how the thieves got into our store, and we’ve since been told that we can’t claim on insurance. As a small charity, we’ll struggle to find over £5,000 to buy replacement equipment.”

To register for Clean Up Saturdays visit oxclean.org.uk and if you or your business can help fund more litter pickers, go to justgiving.com/campaign/oxclean-litter-pickers