RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove have taken the growing issue of litter on our streets into their own hands and have set up their own community scheme to combat it.

Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful (KBB) was set up by Bromsgrove resident Sarah Milburn, who got the idea after working with school children who expressed their worries about plastic waste.

KBB is a non-profit, community led group of volunteers who's main aim is to support their projects with volunteers.

Sarah has also just become one of Keep Britain Tidy’s 100 UK '#LitterHeroes' Ambassadors, so community clean-ups are high on her radar.

She said: "I set up the initial event with very little publicity, and the response was so positive that I decided to set up a Facebook group and my intention is to get a number of schemes going, starting with organising litter picks on a monthly basis, in each ward of Bromsgrove, involving residents, businesses and local councillors.

"The first litter pick was in my neighbourhood of Aston Fields, this month we added one in Charford, and next month we are including one in Bromsgrove centre, hoping to add Sidemoor and Catshill after that.

"The plan is to have a group in each ward, so everyone is taking care of their own neighbourhood. The Facebook group now has more than 270 members, and they all have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of ideas for ways we can improve our community."

After starting the group in Spring, she said on average they collect between 10-20 bags within the four wards they currently cover.

Sarah feels strongly about community after moving to Bromsgrove almost two years ago, and believes that change starts with each of us.

"As soon as I moved here I really felt that I’d moved to a proper community, and I hope the pick-ups will renew a sense of community spirit in people and pride in where they live," she added.

"Litter-picking is a great way to bring people together, to care about their neighbourhood, get some fresh air, meet other neighbours, as well as clean up what needs to be cleaned"

"Other people who see us litter-picking may also join the ranks or at least think twice before dropping rubbish on the floor."