VOLUNTEERS from a Wirral charity have taken to the streets again this week as part of an on-going campaign to tackle the problem of discarded rubbish.

Birkenhead YMCA’s Street Ys Team targeted grassed areas and roadside borders around the Borough Road Birkenhead Library area on Tuesday, filling more than 100 bags with waste.

The initiative follows a series of reports in the Globe highlighting the problems of litter in popular Wirral beauty spots.

Mark Foster, of Birkenhead YMCA said “The volunteers really enjoy helping out with this type of job as lots of members of the public comment about how much they appreciate us helping tidy their area up”.

Mark went on to say how staggered he was at the sheer volume of litter – “despite ordering a big skip it was full within an hour or so – we must have bagged over 100 bags of waste!”

The "Street Ys" programme is the idea of YMCA Chief Executive Nigel Hughes, who hopes the exercise will have two real benefits – one for the local communities that the litter is spoiling and the second in giving the volunteers a sense of civic pride and responsibility in doing something really positive in Wirral.

The scheme was launched followed a series of reports in the Globe about litter in popular Wirral beauty spots.

Volunteers from the organisation are spending one day each week taking part in a programme of tidying up heavily littered areas across Wirral.

The Globe recently published articles telling how clearing away the mess of fly-tipping is costing Wirral Council more than £270,000 per year.

Birkenhead YMCA chief executive Nigel Hughes said: "Recently litter and rubbish have spoiled several key attractions on Wirral and in response to rising concerns the Birkenhead YMCA has decided to take on a sense of civic responsibility by expanding the efforts it makes in the local community and reach out to tackle some of the more visible signs of our disposable society.

"The clean up programme is being called ‘Street Y's’, and volunteers who will be out and about collecting litter are residents at the YMCA.

"Keep an eye out for the volunteers in their bright yellow jackets - and feel free to lend a hand!"

There will also be a clear-up around Charing Cross Methodist Church and nearby Borough Road, Birkenhead on Tuesday October 4.