People and businesses are being urged to scrub up and take part in a major cleaning-up operation to improve an area of north-east Essex.

Tendring District Council (TDC) is launching the ‘Tidy Tendring’ campaign tomorrow in a bid to improve the appearance of the area.

Residents, businesses and schools are being encouraged to get involved by shopping locally, recycling old cooking oil and using official waste contractors.

Council bosses are also urging them to keep their business frontages clear, use environment-friendly packing and encourage reusable shopping bags.

Nick Turner, TDC’s cabinet member for the Environment and Coast Protection, said that while the aim was to clear up as much litter and rubbish as possible this week, the objective behind the scheme was to develop a long-term awareness of keeping the area clean for residents and visitors.

“It is all about having pride in Tendring – where we love to live and others love to visit,” Mr Turner said.

“Council staff will work alongside groups, organisations, businesses and schools to tackle a whole range of issues that can blight any area. These include littering, fly-tipping, dog fouling, street trading and beach cleaning.

“It is about everyone pulling together in the same direction.”

Organisations who sign up to the scheme will receive a free metal cigarette butt bin to be put up in a suitable location.

The launch of the campaign takes place at Mistley Norman Primary School tomorrow. A novelty mushroom bin will be presented to pupils who have designed the Tidy Tendring logo.

Mr Turner said a number of issues had been highlighted in a survey carried out among residents and visitors last summer.

“We asked them their views about the district and we have listened very carefully to those views,” he added.

“We are now offering them the chance to join with us to get to grips with the overall tidiness of the area which affects the quality of everyday life.

“It is not difficult to be clean and green and for everyone just to use the many bins provided. That alone would be a great start.”

A week-long Spring Clean campaign will be launched next Monday, with a number of events lined-up in towns and villages.

A waste amnesty and general clear-up of open spaces and empty plots in the Brooklands area of Jaywick is set to take place from May 7-10.

Educational talks and roadshows are to be staged on Christmas Tree Island in Clacton on May 14 and 16.

Orchards Holiday Park at Point Clear is organising a clear-up of the site and litter picks are also planned for the alleyways around Bathside in Harwich.