FAITH groups from East Oxford will assemble to tackle the scourge of litter in their neighbourhoods as part of a spring clean weekend.

Members of St Mary & St John, Greyfriars and St Clement’s churches and the Central Oxford Mosque will join forces to take part in the annual OxClean litter pick next month.

“Grot spots” in the areas surrounding the holy buildings will be cleaned up, along with other litter-stricken streets.

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Ruth Conway, of Cowley Road, coordinated the groups for the mass clean-up, which will take place on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6.

The 79-year-old, who is a member of St Mary & St John Church, said: “We take part in the weekend because we care for the environment and the community we live in.

“If you can clear the clutter and the litter, we hope it will encourage others to take more care.

“We have a constant battle with litter being dropped and often clean the churchyard.

“The spring clean weekend is not just about cleaning up but it’s also to educate people about looking after the places they live in.”

Areas the team will tidy include Manzil Way behind the medical centre, Bartlemas Road and Barracks Lane.

The spring clean is organised through OxClean, an Oxford Civic Society project, in partnership with The Oxford Times each year.

OxClean will distribute litter pickers and sacks to registered groups, with the council collecting whatever they retrieve.

It is estimated that 1,000 people will take to Oxford’s streets as part of the annual litter pick.

A total of 30 groups have already signed up for the cleaning weekend and organisers are hoping many more will join in the coming weeks.

Mrs Conway added: “All ages will be taking part. It’s good to get families on board.”

This year’s OxClean event will be part of a nationwide litter pick called Clean for the Queen, which has been organised to honour Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday year.

The countrywide campaign aims to bring out one million people to pick up rubbish over the weekend.

Last year, OxClean volunteers removed seven tonnes of waste.

Groups also involved this year include Old Marston Parish Council, the Friends of Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground, South Oxford Women’s Institute and Rose Hill Residents’ and Tenants’ Association.

p To register or report local grot spots visit oxclean.org.uk.