ORGANISERS of Oxford’s largest community clean-up are on course to have their biggest-ever turnout of litter-picking teams.

So far more than 60 businesses and community groups have signed up for the OxClean city-wide litter blitz, backed by our sister paper The Oxford Times, which runs alongside the Cleaner, Greener Oxford campaign, a joint Oxford City Council and Oxford Mail initiative.

Last year, it took OxClean two weeks longer to sign up 60 volunteer groups last year.

Overall, 99 groups took part in the 2009 spring clean.

Organisers are hoping they will break the 100 barrier this year by issuing free litter-pickers to groups taking part, who can keep the equipment permanently.

The group, which last year collected litter equivalent to the weekly waste of 700 Oxford homes, has secured the support of the city’s three McDonald’s burger restaurants.

OxClean chairman Ros Weatherall said: “I think we should get more than 100 groups taking part this year.

“I have been going round the city council’s area committee meetings to encourage those who haven’t taken part yet and are concerned about litter to register and make up a group from their neighbours.

“We hope we can top the numbers we got involved last year, because everybody feels the same about litter.

“It shouldn’t be there.

“We also hope the litter-picks will encourage more people to join and groups can then go ahead and do litter-picks more often.

“Not only does this help to keep Oxford clean but it also strengthens communities.

“One of the great things about Oxford is that we have strong local communities, who feel passionate about keeping their environment clean.”

Each group is able to claim up to five free hand-held litter-pickers for taking part in the campaign.

So far the organisation has handed out 180 of the 407 it bought at a discounted price from the Helping Hand Company.

OxClean was able to buy the litter-pickers after receiving a £2,500 grant from the Oxfordshire Community Foundation and £200 from Carl Room, the franchisee of the McDonald’s restaurants in Botley, Headington and the city centre.

Ms Weatherall said: “It’s really good McDonald’s has got involved.

“They get blamed for a lot of people leaving their rubbish lying around but they’re actually putting in a lot of effort to pick it up.”

Last year, Mr Room hired a street cleaner to help keep the city centre litter-free for three hours every day, while staff at the two other restaurants go on trash walks three times a day to clear up rubbish nearby.

Any young people who join McDonald’s litter-picking team for OxClean will receive a free meal.

Mr Room said: “I’m passionate about keeping the communities we operate in clean.

“We get blamed for a lot of litter but I want to put the record straight.”

The OxClean tidy-up will take place on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6.

For more information or to register a litter-picking group for the event, see oxclean.org.uk