Thousands of volunteers will be cleaning up North Yorkshire this month as part of the Tidy Britain Group's National Spring Clean.

As they pick up litter and smarten up the county, other volunteers will be passing through on a marathon eco-friendly relay from Land's End to John O'Groats to promote the keep the environment clean message.

"This promises to be the biggest and brightest Spring Clean yet," said the director general of the Tidy Britain Group, Professor Graham Ashworth, "And that's because once again, local authorities and especially those volunteering, have backed it wholeheartedly.

"Thanks to them, the county of North Yorkshire is sure to get a good spring clean."

Work has already begun with major tourist outside sites next in line for the grand clean-up.

The campaign hits top gear on Wednesday when the Dash Against Trash runners arrive at Market Cross, Selby from Leeds on their way north to John O'Groats.

They are only travelling by eco-friendly means, such as on foot, for their marathon relay.

They will be met by Womble Great Uncle Bulgaria, and the chairman of Selby District Council Brian Thorne.

The next day, Thursday, the womble will meet the new holder of the baton at the visitor's car park, Hole at Horcum, in Ryedale, while a gas powered Ryedale District Council van cleans up and monitors the A169.

The spotlight and the baton moves north to Whitby and Captain Cook's Monument on Friday.

As it leaves the county, volunteers scour Sandsend Beach on Saturday for litter as they clean it up.

The following weekend, volunteers will be cleaning lay-bys on the A171 starting at Scaling car park.

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