A NEW online community group has been set up to arrange monthly litter picks and 'keep Bromsgrove beautiful'.

Sarah Milburn, from Aston Fields, organised a litter pick around Bromsgrove Station and New Road on May 12 as part of the Great Plastic Pick Up.

With the support of residents and local councillors, seven bags of waste including crisp packets, bottles and cigarette stubs were filled in under two hours.

Such was the response, organisers have now launched a 'Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful' Facebook group to arrange litter picks across the district.

Sarah, who teaches school children about sustainability issues in her job at Solutions for the Planet, said: "A lot of them have been worried about plastic waste, and so I was inspired by them, and by my own feelings about litter and love of my neighbourhood, to join the Great Plastic Pick Up.

"I set up the event with very little publicity, but the response has been so positive that I've been encouraged to set up a Facebook group and my intention is to get litter picks organised on a monthly basis, in each ward of Bromsgrove, involving all residents and local councillors."

Conservative councillors Rita Dent, Malcolm Glass, Phil Thomas and Caroline Spencer, joined Sarah on her first litter pick this month.

Cllr Spencer said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for councillors to join with residents to take part in the Great Plastic Pick Up.

"It would be wonderful to do this across the whole of Bromsgrove.

“We’re passionate about tackling plastic recycling and we’re putting the legwork in!”

Cllr Rita Dent added: “The community spirit that we had on Saturday was great.

"Just two hours made things better and people do want to help. I’ll be out organizing another litter pick over the next month across the town."

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid met with Sarah last week to discuss her project.

He said “It was great to meet Sarah. It’s always brilliant to hear about such committed community initiatives and I’m looking forward to working together to keep Bromsgrove beautiful."

To join, search Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful on Facebook.