beautifulPerth was part of an award-winning National Spring Clean effort which brought recognition to Perth and Kinross.

The month of April is designated the annual National Spring Clean month by the environmental betterment organisation Beautiful Scotland. Backed by sterling work from Council officers at Pullar House, the people of Perth and Kinross responded magnificently. 3,450 volunteers in a total of 112 registered clean-ups set to clearing away some of the appalling litter dropped by irresponsible people in an attempt to win back some of our beautiful natural environment. The number of clean-ups was the highest in the country and brought special recognition in the form of an Outstanding Achievement award from Beautiful Scotland.

In Perth alone there were 34 separate clean-ups, the two biggest of which concentrated on North Muirton and Moncrieffe Island. many hundreds of bags of litter were collected. Members of the beautifulPerth committee joined mainly youngsters in these tasks. The full list of contributors is: 5th and 20th Perth Brownies, 17th Perth Guides, 22nd St Matthews Cubs and Scouts, Fairfield Housing Association, Friarton Nursery, Kinnoull Primary groups, Letham Primary, Moncrieffe Primary and the secondary schools of Perth High, Perth Academy and Perth Grammar.

Jenny Williams, Environmental Initiatives Officer, collected the award in Stirling and said: "A lot of hard work went into the organisation of the effort and the individual clean-ups themselves. I was delighted to be able to accept the award on behalf of nearly 3,500 Perth and Kinross residents who care enough about their environment to want to make a difference. Well done to everyone!"