THE Grime's A Crime campaign is being stepped up a gear this month with the battle to banish litter from Wyre Forest being taken to the streets.

The time for talking has stopped as district councillors and people living in their wards roll up their sleeves for a series of litter picks.

It is the crucial "hands-on" stage of a campaign - run by the council in association with the Shuttle/Times and News - which is being spearheaded by colourful mascot Mr Grimestopper and has seen more than £150,000 earmarked for new street sweepers, replacing street signs and banishing dog mess.

But council leader Mike Oborski has been forced to send out an impassioned plea to his colleagues after only a handful of the district's 42 councillors signed up for action.

"I'm disappointed that more councillors haven't got proposals in for litter picks," he said.

"I would really urge all my colleagues please, please, please get on board and take part. We have had a lot of support from the Shuttle/Times and News over the whole campaign - the least the councillors can do is actually get out there and support it in their own wards."

The first to grasp the nettle was Chris Nicholls, who got together with pupils from the village's first school to target an alleyway running from Austcliffe Road in Cookley and Orchard Road in Caunsall.

"I'm interested in environmental issues - this is a very important initiative. It's about communities taking responsibility themselves," Mr Nicholls said.

"It's important that young people particularly see litter picking as an issue for everybody."

Mr Nicholls was joined on the pick by six of his colleagues from Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council - and admitted being puzzled at why more district councillors had not seized the opportunity to get something done.

He said: "They all ought to be encouraged to get involved."

So far Franche councillor Howard Martin has arranged a litter pick for Monday, July 16, starting at The Roundhead pub and taking in Willowfield Drive and Marlpool Gardens.

Rachel Lewis will be leading her Sutton Park constituents in a blitz on litter around shops on Sutton Road five days later.

Mr Oborski will be working with wife and colleague Fran in their Offmore ward on Saturday, July 14, targeting Offmore Community Centre in Gray Close.

And staff at the Shuttle/Times and News will be lending some hands-on support to the campaign when they take on the challenge of clearing up the canal towpath near Sainsbury's in the town on Wednesday, July 18.