JOURNAL readers have inundated the Tidy Towns hotline with calls since we launched a campaign to encourage people to take more pride in their town.In an effort to crack down on litter, fly tipping and other environmental crimes, we have joined forces with Waveney District Council to make Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth, cleaner, safer and more attractive.

JOURNAL readers have inundated the Tidy Towns hotline with calls since we launched a campaign to encourage people to take more pride in their town.

In an effort to crack down on litter, fly tipping and other environmental crimes, we have joined forces with Waveney District Council to make Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth, cleaner, safer and more attractive.

We asked you to tell us about your trouble spots so we could get them tidied up and you have, in droves.

Mike Daniels, cleansing service manager for Waveney Norse, said there had been a great initial response with lots of calls and reports.

Amongst the requests were a litter pick along the Reydon to Lowestoft Road and to carry out a clean up of rear access ways of Wainford Close, Ash Tree Close and Garden Lane in Worlingham, following reports of anti-social behaviour.

The team has also been busy clearing the lay bys near Ellough Market of litter and fly tipping and Cucumber Lane, in Weston, of mattresses and furniture.

Mr Daniels said: “We have received a lot of positive comments about the new bins, and the gum targets are being well used - so thank you.

“However it is always disheartening to have to remove items like furniture from the public highway when there are so many responsible options available for reuse or disposal.

“In most situations, free-standing items of furniture can either be donated to charity furniture shops or sold through online auction sites or local free ads. Alternatively, they can be disposed of responsibly via bulky waste collections or at Suffolk's Household Waste Recycling Centres.

“Local charity furniture shops will accept and possibly even collect items for free. You could also make yourself some money using online auction sites such as Ebay.

“There are local organisations dedicated to furniture reuse, as well as a number of online networks that match people who have things they want to get rid of with others who can use them. Those seeking items might event pick them up from you.”

Go to www.uk.freecycle.org for details of the Waveney Freecycle group. Just type Waveney into the search system to see what people in your area are looking for and to offer unwanted items.

The council's bulky waste collection service is operated by Waveney Norse and a set charge of three items is �25. You can book and pay online by visiting the refuse and recycling pages of the council website www.waveney.gov.uk, or call 01502 562111.

We still want to find some enthusiastic volunteers to organise community litter picks. The council will provide all the equipment and remove all the waste after you've finished, all you have to do is send The Journal a picture of your black spot before and after, and tell us what you've found.

Equally if you see some furniture dumped, litter strewn across your street, or you're aware of an area that is constantly abused, take a picture and send it to us.

To report an issue, or organise a tidy-up, email Mike.Daniels@ncsgrp.co.uk or telephone 01502 527158. Send any details or photographs of your litter picks or black spots to Tidy Towns, 20 Blyburgate, Beccles, NR34 9TB.