Litter-picking army hail success of South Shields rubbish blitz

Angela Todd was joined by 25 people as they headed from Goldfinch Estate Agents, in Fowler Street, to the seafront collecting rubbish as they walked.

The Litter and Laughter event was the first organised by Angela, who has wanted to launch a project of this kind for a number of years.

Rubbish collected included plastic and glass bottles, cans and general rubbish. This was later recycled by Angela and a team of volunteers.

Angela said: “The first walk has been a success. We had 25 people join us from a little boy in a pushchair to people in their 50s and 60s and a representative from the Green Party.

“After the safety briefing we split into two teams and one went from the back of the office to the corner of Roxannes and another team went down Fowler Street, meeting the first group outside the club.

“We then made our way along both sides of Ocean Road, along the seafront to Westoe Crown Hub.”

Angela added: “The manager Nick told us how he was part of a team that tended to a beached whale which had been affected by large amounts of plastic. It really hit home with the kids that were there. All the rubbish that was collected was separated for recycling.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the next Litter and Laughter Walk on April 24 is asked to meet at the Goldfinch Office, in Fowler Street, at 6pm where a safety briefing will take place.

It is open to people of all ages and abilities. Those under 16 to be accompanied by parent or guardian.