PEOPLE in Darlington are being asked to play their part in giving the borough a thorough spring clean.

Throughout the month, litter and street care teams from Darlington Borough Council will be cleaning up the town in preparation for the warmer weather.

Residents are being asked to help with this year's Big Spring Clean by letting the council know about any areas with a litter or graffiti problem that need attention.

The teams will be focusing on picking up litter from hedgerows, removing grit piles from roadsides and cleaning up traffic islands and road signs.

Young offenders taking part in community programmes through the Darlington Community Safety Partnership will also be helping with the work.

Residents can take part in community clean up days, using litter-picking equipment supplied by the borough council, to gather and bag any rubbish for the council to collect.

The authority is also offering a bulky waste removal service, under which any large, disused household items, such as unwanted furniture, will be collected and disposed of on request.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "The Big Spring Clean will give local people the chance to get out into their own gardens and yards and give them a good spring clean.

"The teams will be working over and above their normal daily routines and will respond to calls from the public."

For more information contact the council's customer services team on (01325) 388777.