An environmental charity and community retailer are calling for residents in Dumbarton and the Vale to help spring clean their area.

Keep Scotland Beautiful and Scotmid Co-operative, which has a store in Renton and one in Alexandria, are urging people to take part in the charity’s annual Spring Clean campaign, which will take place across the country throughout April and May.

They are encouraging local residents, businesses, schools and community groups to arrange their own clean up events to remove rubbish from local streets, parks and public areas.

Last year, more than 30,000 people in Scotland took part in the annual Spring Clean Campaign, helping to remove more than 300 tonnes of litter, the equivalent of three blue whales or 50 elephants.

The Spring Clean campaign is a key part of the wider Clean Up Scotland Campaign, which has been led by Keep Scotland Beautiful since 2012.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Every April and May thousands of volunteers take to the streets and remove a significant amount of litter from their local communities.

“We are very proud of everyone’s hard work and hope residents in Dumbarton and the Vale will take part, helping to make 2019 the most successful campaign to date.”

Shirley MacGillivray, Scotmid deputy secretary, said: “Scotmid is really excited about supporting this campaign, the initiative matches our core values and principles as a responsible community retailer.

“Our main purpose is to serve communities and improve people’s everyday lives and, by reducing the amount of litter, we can take a positive step towards achieving those goals.

“Achieving a cleaner Scotland will be a real team effort, which is why we’re proud that our stores will host hubs to enable our members, staff and customers to organise litter-picks in their local communities.”

To register a Spring Clean 2019 event, visit: keepscotlandbeautiful.org/cleanupscotland.