CHILDREN as young as three joined with people in their 70s to take part in the 10th instalment of a city clean-up.

Stanwix Big Tidy returned to Carlisle on Saturday with dozens of families taking part in the annual clean up event.

Parents and children met at Stanwix Community Centre to pick up their equipment and set off on their way to clean the nearby streets.

Stanwix Urban councillors Liz Mallinson, Paul Nedved and Fiona Robson all gave up their Saturday afternoons in an effort to promote the importance of keeping the streets of their ward clean and tidy.

Friends of Rickerby Park and pupils from Stanwix School were also on hand with their litter pickers to collect everything from crisp packets to fizzy drink bottles.

The event was set up 10 years ago by cllr Mallinson, but is now spearheaded by cllr Nedved.

Cllr Nedved said: "This is part of the Great British Spring Clean, half a million across the country in involved in litter picking across the month. Today is the 10th anniversary, there is nothing else like it in the city.

"It is about education and getting children involved, promoting pride in the city - that is the key to it. There are people here from the age of three to 70 and they will be coming all morning."

Although cllr Nedved doesn't think there is a huge problem with litter in Stanwix, he believes its important to stay on top of it.

"It's peaks and troughs. You think you are keeping on top of it and you turn your back and it's back.

"We are trying to get the message across to children and parents. We have had two schools involved over the week and we've had university students as well."

Caroline Hetherington who lives just off Brampton Road, came along to the event for the first time with her sons Finley, 7, and Isaac, 11.

37-year-old Catherine said: "We have never made it previously. The boys have been litter picking with school and they said if they get to use the grabbers that they would be up for it.

"It is a very good, positive event - good for the community. There is not masses of litter, but the litter there is shouldn't be there. It is great, very positive."

Stanwix School pupil Isaac commented: "I have been looking forward to using the grabbers and picking up lots of litter.

"Litter doesn't help at all."

Cllr Fiona Robson explained that it is important that the community know littering is not acceptable.

She said: "It is important to set an example. It is everyone's responsibility to keep the area tidy and helping to keep our area clean."

Volunteers from the Friends of Rickerby Park group also played their part in the event.

Chairman Anne Williams commented: "It is important to make people aware of the problem of litter and also see the reward of working in a group for voluntary work.

"Also you get a sense and feeling of having made a difference and of giving something back to the city."

Liz Mallinson, who set up the Stanwix Big Tidy in 2010, said: "We have done this now for the last 10 years. Since we started it it has gone from strength to strength.

"Stanwix School are involved with posters and producing letters. They have hit home the message that you mustn't drop litter.

"I think it's very important."