ONE little lady is making a big impact on litter in the Cranbourne area of Basingstoke.

At four foot nine inches tall, Olive Wigley is only petite in stature. However, her efforts in clearing up rubbish near her home in Radford Gardens, Cranbourne, Basingstoke, is nothing short of gargantuan.

For years, Mrs Wigley has always had a spare carrier bag at the ready for any unsightly litter she spots on her way home - and she's not afraid to confront litter louts she catches in the act of dropping rubbish.

Mrs Wigley, 81, said: "What makes me cross is when I find broken glass and bottles used for drugs just dumped by play areas. Kids are nosy and they will go and pick them up. It's so dangerous.

"Otherwise, I just don't like to see rubbish hanging around. I want the area to look clean and tidy, not messy. That's the kind of person I am."

Mrs Wigley's efforts do not end when she has picked up the litter from the streets as she then takes it all home to sort for recycling. She separates glass, tin foil, plastics and newspapers, and makes regular trips to local bottle bins and collection points as well as using her green council recycling bin.

Inspired by Mrs Wigley's energy and dedication to keep Cranbourne tidy, Marian Cohen, her next-door-neighbour, has also taken to picking up rubbish left lying around.

Mrs Wigley (pictured above) said: "I am very pleased about it. I try to pass the message on to people.

"I think people see the litter but most don't do anything about it. It looks like it's just the older people who actually do anything. It would be nice to see somebody younger out there as well."

If you know of a group or individual who is making a difference by blitzing the litter, contact Jenny Legg on 01256 337421.

And if you have a view on the litter situation in and around Basingstoke, write to The Letters Editor, Gazette Newspapers, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstoke gazette.co.uk