CAMPAIGNERS will be hoping to make a clean sweep of three east Durham villages next week when they launch a blitz on litter, flytipping and other environmental problems.

Residents and volunteers will be joining forces with staff from Durham County Council to tackle a range of neighbourhood nuisances during the Wingate, Station Town and Hutton Henry Week in Action.

Organised through the authority’s Pride in Easington campaign and in partnership with the Wingate, Station Town and Hutton Henry Partnership, the six-day event will run from Monday to Saturday.

Clare Hubbard, Pride in Easington officer, said: "We’re hoping to motivate residents and traders in the three villages into taking more responsibility for the upkeep and appearance of their area.

"We’ve organised a number of events and activities during the Week in Action but our ultimate aim is that local people will continue to take pride in their community even when the campaign is over."

Members of the public are being asked to report litter grot spots by contacting Envirocall on 0191-27 5040.

They can also get involved by joining members of Wingate Brownies during a litter pick around the village, from 10am to noon, on Saturday, June 27.

A free skip for the removal of household rubbish will also be located in Beechdale Close, Station Town from 10am to noon on Wednesday.

Information on community issues ranging from fire safety to anti-social behaviour will be available from the BlitzBus, which will be parked in Front Street, Wingate, between 9am and 4pm on Tuesday.

The campaign will be officially launched by Tidy Ted, the Pride in Easington mascot, during a visit to St Mary’s Primary School, Wingate, on Monday.

Pride in Easington staff will also be taking along their story sack to help them bring to life the story of how Ted became an environmental campaigner.

For more information on the Week in Action contact the Pride in Easington team on 0191-27 0501 or e.mail pride@durham.go.uk.