GROUPS and individuals across the Keighley district answered a 'call to arms' to help clean up the environment.

Charity Keep Britain Tidy says it was "truly humbled" by the response to its latest Great British Spring Clean.

People were asked to make a #PlatinumPledge – tying in with the charity's 70th anniversary – to pick up as much litter as possible during this year's campaign, which ran from March 15 until the end of the month.

Staged in parallel with the venture was the Great Big School Clean, in which pupils learned about the impact litter has on wildlife and the difference small actions can make.

Keep Britain Tidy pays tribute to everyone who took part in litter blitzes – locally, regionally and nationally.

Individuals, community groups, businesses, local authorities and schools were all involved.

Across Yorkshire and the Humber, nearly 25,000 bagfuls of rubbish were collected. The figure nationally exceeded 425,000.

Streets and parks were among public spaces targeted.

Allison Ogden-Newton, for Keep Britain Tidy, says: "Thanks to the determination of our founders in 1954 – and all our volunteers and supporters since then – we’re celebrating seven decades of taking action for the environment, and our work has never been more vital.

"These impressive figures from our latest Great British Spring Clean demonstrate how small, individual actions can collectively make a huge difference. Everyone who got involved should feel very proud of this incredible achievement. We can now illustrate the scale of the region’s litter pollution problem to those with the power to effect change.

"We’re truly humbled by the commitment and effort shown by staff, supporters and volunteers in communities, schools, voluntary organisations, businesses and local authorities."

Headline partner for this year's campaign was energy infrastructure company, Calisen.

Sean Latus, for the firm, says: "Our workforce – many of whom joined in with the effort – is inspired to see the difference that has been made. We are proud to support the Great British Spring Clean."

Funding for the initiative was provided by the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Its head of charities, Laura Chow, said: "To collect almost 25,000 bags of litter across the region is a fantastic achievement.

"The commitment and enthusiasm on display shows just how much people care about cleaning up their community. And I’m delighted that funding raised by our players is helping them and so many others take care of their local areas."