A PARLIAMENTARY candidate spent his weekend picking litter in a Worcester park.

The Friends of Fort Royal Park were joined by Worcester Green Party hopeful Louis Stephen when they went out on Saturday to collect rubbish.

The event, organised by Worcester City Council, was part of the Rubbish? Sort it! campaign which runs until the end of October.

The initiative, which has been set up by the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, involves a series of litter-picking events which will take place throughout the county. People can organise their own and the trust will provide the resources.

Worcester News: rubbish campaign logo (WN)

Mr Stephen, who was joined by other members of the local Green Party, said: “Worcester was judged to be one of the cleanest cities in the UK and gained an award at this year’s Clean Britain Awards, but local people struggle to believe how it won such an accolade when they look at the litter around them.

“There were 10 of us on Saturday and we must have filled at least one big refuse sack each.”

Mr Stephen said he took part to raise the profile of keeping Worcester clean.

He said: “The park wardens organise litter picks in all the city parks but the one in Fort Royal is not particularly well-attended. We hoped that by going along we could raise its profile and encourage a few more people to come along.”

The group spent two hours collecting litter and covered Fort Royal Park, Wyld’s Lane and parts of the canal towpath. For more information visit dwt.org.uk