A call-out from Farnham Town Council for volunteers to help out with a town centre litter pick ahead of Tuesday’s (2 August) Britain in Bloom judging received an excellent response.

Around 30 people joined in Saturday’s Big Pick and between them, they collected 15 bags of rubbish from around the town centre. The most common find was cigarette butts followed by food packaging and cans.

Volunteers included local residents, members of Rotary Weyside, Town Councillors and the Farnham in Bloom Community Group.

Speaking after the event, Farnham Town Clerk, Iain Lynch said: “I would like to thank everybody who came along to Saturday’s Big Pick. Thanks to a collective effort, it was possible to cover a large area that included Gostrey Meadow, South Street, Station Approach Road, Hickleys Corner, Central Car park and West Street along to Coxbridge roundabout.

“Compared to some previous litter picks, I would say that we have seen a slight reduction in the amount of litter collected but this is probably because of the extra community litter picks and the team of ‘bloomin’ volunteers’ who are doing a fantastic job on a weekly basis. However, we do hope everyone will help to reinforce our civic pride by keeping our streets and parks free of rubbish.”

Some of Saturday’s volunteers signed up to the Bloomin’ Litter project, which now has 36 members. The initiative is new for 2016 and involves people volunteering to litter pick a road or an area of their choice throughout the year. Each volunteer is provided with a high visibility jacket and litter picker by Farnham Town Council. Anybody who would like to keep the area where they live or regularly walk free from litter should contact Lara Prior at Farnham Town Council on 01252 712667 or email lara.prior@farnham.gov.uk.

Farnham Town Council will find out the results of the judging in September.

Farnham in Bloom in sponsored by Corporate sponsor BBS Ltd.

Gold sponsors: The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, Graduate Landscapes, Forest Lodge, Squires Garden Centre.

Silver sponsor: Bourne Valley Contractors.