Douglas Borough Council has demonstrated its support for Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Where You Live campaign which urges communities to come together on volunteer projects aimed at respecting and protecting their local environment.

The council launched Love Where You Live in Douglas with a litter pick and general clean-up of the North and South Quays supported by volunteers, including members of Broadway Baptist Church and St Thomas’s Church.

Joining the volunteers was environmental services committee member Councillor Falk Horning who explained: ‘Love Where You Live will not be a one-off initiative but a continuing year-round campaign in which the council is looking to involve volunteer groups, schools and local businesses to develop community-led schemes.

‘Every individual and every household can, of course, make a difference by recycling as much as possible to minimise waste and litter, in support of which the Council provides a kerbside collection service, has bring banks stationed at prominent sites and operates the household waste recycling centre at Middle River.

‘The council’s cleansing teams do all they all can to keep the streets and green spaces of Douglas clean, but litter is a community issue that demands a community response, and on behalf of the council I thank everyone who supported the campaign launch.’

Ahead of the launch the council invited children from Douglas primary schools to design a poster that illustrated what they loved about Douglas.

The winner was 10-year-old Layla Blayden from Anagh Coar School with her drawing of the Tower of Refuge by night. A committed environmentalist, Layla has served as a member of her school’s environmental committee. She said: ‘I chose to draw the tower because I really love how it looks at night all lit up.’

Layla’s winning poster will be displayed on lighting columns throughout the borough to promote Love Where You Live.

For more details of the council’s recycling and waste services, visit recyclenow.im

Photo - Members of the council’s cleansing team with Love Where You Live volunteers. Picture Andrew Barton.