A CAMPAIGN to make Hitchin tidy before the Diamond Jubilee is picking up pace.

Hitchin Forum is leading the Love Hitchin and Pick Up on Litter campaign, which aims to tidy up the whole town before next weekend.

The project, which is supported by the Comet, has seen a great response since being featured in the paper and online last week.

“We’re getting a steady flow of people who would like to help,” said Ellie Clarke, who is coordinating the campaign.

“As soon as the Comet article went online, more offers of help came in.”

The Forum has marked this Sunday from 10am - 12 noon for a clean-up of mainly residential areas in the town.

So far, there have been around 100 people volunteer to help make Hitchin cleaner.

“It has been very interesting receiving offers of help, because people are wanting to give the town’s hidden green spaces a bit of tender loving care,” added Ellie.

“[But] there are still areas of the town that we haven’t managed to cover. We’d love volunteers to come forward, especially for the approach roads into the town centre - Walsworth Road, Nightingale Road, Hitchin Hill and Bedford Road.

“We are optimistic that we are going to make a real difference in the town before the Jubilee weekend. Hopefully by then we can look around and say ‘well done Hitchin’.”

One of the biggest clean ups organised so far is in Cadwell Lane and Grove Road. It is estimated that up to 30 people will be helping out there, with Hertfordshire Probation sending along several people as well.

Parents from Wilshere Dacre and Strathmore schools have also organised a clean-up on Friday, with NHDC councillor Deborah Segalini and Comet reporter Laura Burge among those helping out.

If you are interested in lending a hand to the campaign, call Ellie on 07974 272315, or email litter@hitchinforum.org.uk

If you can’t do the Sunday, you can still arrange another time to get your black bags and litter-pickers. Ring Ellie for more information.