THE New Forest Spring Clean will take place from April 17 until April 24. It is led by New Forest District Council and the Forestry Commission.

BBC TV South presenter Jay Andrews will help launch the event at Black Water, Rhinefield on Saturday, April 16.

Every year the event, which has been running since 1973, sees more than 3,000 volunteers collect around 1,000 bags of rubbish.

New Forest District Council portfolio holder for the environment, Councillor Michael Thierry, said: "Litter can be a danger to wildlife and can remain a problem for many years.

"A plastic bottle could take one million years to decompose, while plastic bags take 100 years to break down.

"We hope that as many people as possible will turn out this year to make the Spring Clean a big success."

Litter picks will take place at various locations across the Forest.

For more details and to book a place call 023 8028 3141.