Ipswich council has recruited a residents’ army who want to Love Your Street to try to keep the town clean during the height of the summer.

East Anglian Daily Times: Digby is encouraging Ipswich residents and visitors to Love Your Street. Picture: IPSWICH COUNCILDigby is encouraging Ipswich residents and visitors to Love Your Street. Picture: IPSWICH COUNCIL (Image: Archant)

The borough launched the “Love Your Street” campaign after growing concern about the amount of litter that was left around the town – and the impression it gives to residents and visitors.

Love Your Street will spread out across the town over the summer and autumn and the launch saw a group of people come together near the Waterfront on a litter-pick.

The litter-pick, led by the council, was supported by McDonalds, who have sponsored a new waste bin on the corner of Stoke Bridge, opposite Cardinal Park.

McDonalds staff then welcomed council staff and Greenways project volunteers in for refreshments after cleaning litter from open land and bushes.

East Anglian Daily Times: Litter discarded close to the Regent Theatre entrance Picture: ARCHANTLitter discarded close to the Regent Theatre entrance Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Love Your Street uses a new mascot – Digby, the blue octopus who became famous after appearing as a mural on the side of a silo on the Waterfront.

The campaign comes in the wake of growing concern about the amount of litter simply left on the streets of the town – last weekend a short walk from Major’s Corner into the heart of the town showed up litter strewn along the road. That has helped to inspire the new attempt to encourage residents to pick up the grabbers and don the high-vis vests.

It is hoped that people will be encouraged to help keep their own neighbourhoods clean as well as the high-profile areas in the town centre.

Campaign organiser Glynis Wood said Digby was ideal for the campaign as his tentacles represent the fact that it takes a lot of helping hands to tackle litter, including the many volunteers who work with us throughout year.”

She added: “Residents will soon see Digby branding on the sides of waste vehicles and bins. We hope it will fire up people’s imaginations and get them behind our clean-up campaign.”

Philip Smart is portfolio-holder for waste services at the Borough. He said: “This is just the first step in a major new campaign to encourage people to use litter bins and take pride in their local area.

“I want to thank McDonalds for their support and all the people who came out to get Love Your Street under way.”