Motherwell and Wishaw MSP John Pentland is backing this year’s National Spring Clean, Scotland’s biggest annual litter clean, which takes place between April 1 and May 31.

John Pentland said:

“Last year, 100,000 Scots took part in the National Spring Clean campaign. This year, campaign organisers Keep Scotland Beautiful want to double that number.

“If you hate litter and want to do something positive to improve your corner of the community then they will help you to get together with family and friends to organise a local clean up.

“This is also a great opportunity to approach people through businesses, schools and community groups, and suggest that they take part in a coordinated campaign to make Scotland cleaner and greener.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful Chief Executive, Derek Robertson, said: “Without the commitment of the volunteers who take part in National Spring Clean every year, Scotland would definitely be a dirtier place. To really make a significant impact on Scotland’s litter, we need every Scottish person out there to take a pride in their favourite part of Scotland and register for National Spring Clean 2012. Together, in a united effort, we can make a difference.”

To help groups get started, Keep Scotland Beautiful provides group organisers with free clean up kits, and they can also request additional assistance from their local council. Register on-line at http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/springclean