ARGYLL and Bute residents are being urged to take part in a national environmental charity's annual Spring Clean campaign.

Keep Scotland Beautiful, in partnership with community retailer Scotmid Co-operative, is calling for communities to get involved in helping to remove litter from their local area.

Throughout April and May, local people, businesses, schools and community groups are encouraged to arrange their own clean-up events to remove rubbish from streets, parks and public areas.

Last year more than 30,000 people the length and breadth of the country participated in the successful campaign, helping to remove more than 300 tonnes of litter - the equivalent of three blue whales or 50 elephants.

READ MORE: Life's a beach for new Rhu Clean-Up Crew.

The Spring Clean campaign is a key part of the wider Clean Up Scotland Campaign, which has been led by Keep Scotland Beautiful since 2012.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are very proud of everyone’s hard work and hope that residents will take part, helping to make 2019 the most successful Spring Clean campaign to date.”

Shirley MacGillivray, Scotmid deputy secretary, said: “We acknowledge that achieving a cleaner Scotland will be a real team effort, which is why we’re proud that our stores will host hubs to enable our members, staff and customers to organise litter-picks in their local communities.

“Scotmid are committed to helping Keep Scotland Beautiful to achieve a cleaner and more beautiful Scotland.”

To register a Spring Clean 2019 event all you need to do is visit keepscotlandbeautiful.org/cleanupscotland and sign up.