Rob GarrattA campaign to clean up the streets and countryside around Dereham has been lent a significant boost with the backing from a national body.The Breckland Blitz has already seen tons of rubbish cleared from roadsides and green spaces in towns and villages across the region - and now it has been lent the support of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which is lead by Norfolk writer Bill Bryson.Rob Garratt

A campaign to clean up the streets and countryside around Dereham has been lent a significant boost with the backing from a national body.

The Breckland Blitz has already seen tons of rubbish cleared from roadsides and green spaces in towns and villages across the region - and now it has been lent the support of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which is lead by Norfolk writer Bill Bryson.

The campaign has seen residents in five villages roll up their sleeves and clear over two tonnes of rubbish, armed with litter-pickers, gloves, high visibility jackets and refuse sacks provided by Breckland Council.

The Norfolk CPRE branch, which has come on board as an official partner to the campaign, demonstrated its commitment to the cause with a litter-blitz along a section of the A47 close to East Tuddenham.

Director of CPRE Norfolk, James Frost, said: 'CPRE is pleased to see Breckland Council taking the initiative on litter and fly tipping.

'Our local countryside needs all the help it can get and springtime is a good time of year to clear litter hidden in hedgerows, roadsides, lay-bys, parks and gardens. If everyone does something then we'll achieve a lot - the Breckland Blitz is the perfect way to get started.'

The three-month campaign was launched on March 1 when Breckland Council spent a lunch break picking up litter in Dereham. Since then volunteers have blitzed Weasenham, Weasenham All Saints, Ovington and Weasenham St Peter

Executive Member for Communities and Benefits, Theresa Hewett, added: 'The Breckland Blitz is gathering pace and there are many more litter picks in the pipeline. Breckland is such a beautiful area and it's great to see so many residents taking a pride in their neighbourhood and working hard to help keep it that way.'