A BIG clean up of Harwich and Parkeston is taking place this weekend.

Residents are asked to join community leaders for the spring tidy tomorrow morning at 10am.

Tendring Council and its contractor Veolia have joined forces with Harwich Town Council, the Harwich Society, the Town Centre Partnership and Essex Probation Service for the event, which starts at Dovercourt Railway Club.

Parkeston, which has been blighted by flytipping, litter and dog fouling, will also be joining in the clean up.

Ramsey and Parkeston parish councillor David Smith said it had been agreed that Parkeston needed a clean up as it is the country's "gateway to Europe".

"With the cruise ship season about to start the council throught it is a good time to give the village a spring clean," he said

Villagers who want to take part in then tidy up are asked to gather at the Captain Fryatt in Garland Road at 10am.