A pilot study by Keep Britain Tidy has seen littering reduced at hotspots when colourful signs are erected to tell the public about volunteer’s clean-up efforts.

These ‘Volunteers Have Tidied Here’ signs reduced littering by an average of over 40%.

And signs designed specifically for the Pinewoods Conservation Group have been paid for by Walker Foster following a request for local charity projects needing funding by Your Harrogate.

Craig Williams, Director & Head of Business & Commercial at Walker Foster Solicitors in Harrogate said:

“We are really pleased to be able to fund these new signs within The Pinewoods. We know that litter is a constant problem for many of our green spaces that can become worse as the weather improves.

“These signs will act as a useful reminder to visitors enjoying the Pinewoods and we are delighted to be able to give something back to the community. We look forward to joining the hard-working volunteers on one of their litter picks in the next few weeks and seeing these signs in situ.”

Adam Daniel, Commercial Director at Your Harrogate, said:

“As the local radio station for the Harrogate district, we’re dedicated to supporting our local community and helping out with worthwhile local projects whenever possible.

“We’re delighted to be teaming up with Walker Foster and the Pinewoods Conservation Group and look forward to getting our hands dirty with the group’s volunteers at a litter pick in the near future.”

Neil Hind, Chair of The Pinewoods Conservation Group said:

“We are very grateful to Walker Foster Solicitors for their funding to help make this happen and to our many volunteers who litter pick as part of our organised events and also in their own time.

“We hope that these signs act as a reminder that somebody is giving up their time to pick up litter that should have been disposed of properly.”

The Pinewoods Conservation Group plans to hold various work sessions over the summer that will be advertised on their website and on social media, with all welcome.