VIDEO: Army of volunteers join in Sleaford's Clean For The Queen

Clean for the Queen is being spearheaded by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign and Sleaford Town Team has been taking a lead to encourage groups to do their bit to combat the scourge of litter in the town.

Groups of children from St Botolph’s and William Alvey schools have taken part in litter picks around their areas on Friday and there will be more litter picking sessions for groups and families over Saturday and Sunday.

Town councillors and staff held a litter pick around Castlefield on Friday morning in an effort to promote the little-known historic site of Sleaford Castle.

Mayor of Sleaford Garry Titmus said: “We chose Castlefield because this is a unique part of Sleaford which is not seen by most people.

“It has tremendous value for the future for tourism and general wellbeing.

“It is a unique protected green space right in the centre of the town and the Town Council has plans to ensure it is much better known and used.”

At the moment it is used by dog walkers and does have problems with dumping in the boundary ditch and wind-blown litter from Nag’s Head Passage.

Coun Titmus was delighted with the other groups joining in the clean up campaign, saying: “We should all be involved in looking after our environment. We also support the River Slea Clean Up team throughout the year.

“It is a good spring clean but we must try to keep it going throughout the year.”

As well as the town council doing its bit, he agreed with Keep Britain Tidy’s argument that it was much better to be spending precious tax payers’ money on things like health care and treatment than having to pick up after litter that does not need to be dropped.