A GROUP of hardworking volunteers are celebrating five years of keeping the streets of Crewe tidy.

The Crewe Clean Team carried out its first litter pick on January 7, 2012, and the 98-member group has since held 60 litter picks, filling 1,850 bin bags in the process.

It has successfully helped to persuade Cheshire East Council to introduce a private firm to issue fines for littering, and is currently working on providing more cigarette bins across Crewe.

The group has also had a strong presence in schools, community shows, fun days and in the media, where it has spread its anti-littering and pro-recycling message.

David McDonald, chairman at the Crewe Clean Team, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts in the first five years.  

“The culture change that we know has to take place may be beginning to happen, even if it is being driven more by punishment than by education.

“We will continue to work hard to improve our local environment.”

Since 2012, the Crewe Clean Team has recycled 110,000 cans, planted more than 2,000 bulbs at its four annual bulb plantings, and submitted a report to the Government Select Committee enquiry into litter two years ago.

The group also launched the multi-agency Crewe Anti-Litter Forum last November, and has raised funds for equipment and an additional £700 for Comic Relief.

It was rewarded for its efforts with the inaugural Crewe Town Council community award in 2014.

For more information on the group, follow @CreweCleanTeam on Twitter or visit facebook.com/crewecleanteam