Litter-Free Ashburton is holding a special pick-up litter day in the school holidays and hopes families will join them on a mission to clean up a section of Melrose Road by the Ashburton River.

The group meets on the second Thursday of the month to pick up litter around town but is organising an extra collection on Thursday 21 April to tackle Melrose Road.

Litter-Free Ashburton spokesperson Bev Skates said families with school-aged children had asked if they could help the group.

“These families said they could help during the school holidays so we have organised this extra mission.

“We know Melrose Road is a popular spot for illegal dumpers, and household rubbish and garden waste is often dumped amongst the blackberry and undergrowth. There’s also the rubbish that results from impromptu parties or picnics, where people have just tossed their bottles and food wrappers on the ground.”

Mrs Skates said the layby area where rubbish was a problem is at the end of Melrose Road near the river.

“We would like to clean up this spot and we’d love to see lots of families come and help us in the school holidays.”

Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said Council was pleased to support Litter-Free Ashburton, whose good work contributed to the image of the town.

“They are a volunteer group making a great difference, with the added bonus of getting people out in the fresh air and making new friends while doing a community service.”

People wanting to help should wear solid footwear and meet at the river end of Melrose Road at 1.30pm on Thursday 21 April. Litter-Free Ashburton will provide bags and gloves.