LITTER - Let's Bin It. That's the message of the latest phase of The Gazette's Basingstoke - A Place To Be Proud Of campaign.

Last September, The Gazette launched the campaign which aims to focus on the people and organisations that make the town and borough a better place to live in.

Under the umbrella of this campaign, we launched our Litter - Let's Bin It initiative. This aims to put the spotlight on litter blackspots in the borough that need direct action to clean them up. It will also highlight the good work being done by individuals, communities and organisations who are taking steps to stamp out litter problems in their neighbourhoods.

Gazette editor Mark Jones said: "One of the key aims of our Basingstoke - A Place To Be Proud Of campaign is to highlight the areas where more can be done to make the borough a better place and putting the spotlight on local litter problems and initiatives to deal with litter is something that will help achieve this goal.

"Litter, in its many forms, is a blight on the community. We hope that by focusing on the issue, and the action that is being taken to tackle it, more people will play their part in keeping the borough clean and tidy."

The Gazette's focus on the litter issue will see us giving support to the borough council's own drive to blitz the rubbish left in public places.

In 2002 - the latest year for which figures are available - the borough council dealt with 3,500 litter-related complaints or requests for action from the public.

Flytipping accounted for more than 1,000 of these, while broken glass and dog fouling also prompted many of the complaints.

At the beginning of the year, Basingstoke council launched its new streetcare scheme as part of its Clean, Safe Streets campaign.

The borough has been divided into five separate areas that will each have a dedicated team of workers to carry out a regular cleaning regime.

Target hotspots near shopping precincts and communal bins have already been identified for special attention from the teams.

The new community wardens, who also take to the streets this month, are expected to help with the streetcare scheme by reporting litter problems and ensuring a rapid response to them.

At the time of the Gazette's campaign launch, council leader Cllr Rob Donnelly said: "This is a key part of building stronger, safer and cleaner communities in the borough. Most people are very conscientious about not dropping litter, but there are still some who do.

"It would be nice to create an environment where people have pride in the place and think about the consequences before they scatter bits of paper all over the town.

"I am delighted with The Gazette's campaign. The timing in raising awareness of the issue is marvellous."

Eco-friendly Maureen Dowsett, of Derwent Road, Basingstoke, has also given her support to the litter blitz. In October 2002, Mrs Dowsett received an Unsung Hero award from Prince Charles at Highgrove for collecting rubbish near her home in Kempshott.

Mrs Dowsett, 66, said: "I am really pleased to hear about The Gazette's campaign. The litter problem has definitely worsened in recent years, with all the cigarette paraphernalia and chewing gum. It's like the national campaign says - keep Britain tidy.

"In my case it's keep Kempshott tidy. If only everyone picked up a couple of things, and kept their own patch tidy - what a difference it would make."

Peter Gibson, a spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy, which is also backing The Gazette campaign, said: "Nobody wants to live and work in grubby streets. They make people feel unsafe and heighten the fear of crime. Squalid environments put off visitors and businesses, and dropped food attracts vermin. Litter really matters, which is why The Gazette is right to launch this campaign."

If you know of a litter black-spot in the borough that demands attention, or know of individuals, groups or organisations making a difference to their local community by blitzing the litter, then call Jenny Legg on 01256 337421.

And if you have a view on the litter issue, write to The Letters Editor, Gazette Newspapers, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstokegazette.co.uk