Harlow Council is to clean up every housing area in the town following the success of a trial earlier this year with 22 housing estates. The programme starts today, with areas in the CM18 postcode area the first to benefit.

At the insistence of local Liberal Democrats, the council has invested £150,000 to take its successful clean-up campaign townwide. Over the next 12 months each housing area in the town will be given two special clean-ups. Each area will be given a day where residents can use a refuse vehicle and special green bins to get rid of any unwanted bulky items. Residents can also request on the day or in advance (call 446655) small improvement tasks for the Community Response Team to undertake. The council will follow up the day with an extensive street clean and litter pick.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Cllr Eleanor Macy says:

"Living in a clean, safe and green place is the top priority for local people. That's why Harlow Council is investing in a cleaner Harlow through its Together We Can ... Clean Up Our Town campaign. It's an ambitious programme which follows on from the successful pilots run earlier on in the year. Feedback from residents taking part in this was very positive and many said they would like to see it continue.

Our aim is to get people to be proud of where they live. After the clean-ups we hope that people will help us keep their area clean and tidy by being more aware of what they can do and what services are available to help. Evidence also suggests that if an area looks cleaner the fear of crime can reduce.

"Every year we spend around a million pounds to keep Harlow clean, but we can't do it alone. Our message is simple; you can help us so together we can ... clean up our town."

The council will publish programmes in four stages for each postcode area of the town for the first cycle of clean-ups. Properties will receive a newsletter and information pack shortly before the clean-up starts. In the pack is the cleaning schedule, information on cleaning services, litter and dog fouling enforcement, a comment form and how to use the community response team. The pack's aim is to promote what residents can do to keep their area clean.

Residents living in CM18 who don't receive a pack within the next few weeks can collect one from the Civic Centre or get one by calling 446900 or emailing the council. A pack can also be downloaded from the council's web site.

The Together We Can ... Clean Up Our Town campaign will also see the council's everyday work continue as well as increased environmental enforcement action, installation of more litter and dog waste bins across the town, and promotional activities.