STAFF at a fast food chain are taking time off from serving burgers and fries to help clean up the streets of Taunton.

Volunteers from McDonald’s in East Street are taking part in litter picks in the town centre in an attempt to encourage pride in the area.

The restaurant has joined forces with Taunton Deane Council and TauntonForward to bring in early morning tidy ups seven days a week and on early mornings from Fridays to Sundays.

The initiative is the brainchild of TauntonForward, which is working with the council to find affordable ways of making improvements.

The authority has paid for the printing of posters that are being displayed across the town urging people not to chuck their litter on the ground and is also sending out its Deane DLO arm to clear away rubbish collected by the volunteers.

McDonald’s franchisee David Hunt said his staff have already been patrolling the surrounding streets to pick up litter first thing in the morning and after big events such as the recent Taunton Carnival.

Mr Hunt added: “Everybody has a social responsibility to keep this beautiful country tidy and we want everybody to get involved.

“We’re lagging behind other countries and need to convince people to take pride in their town and country.”

Cllr Patrick Berry, executive member for environmental services at Deane House, said: “I think this shows that Taunton Deane Council is working with community groups and local businesses to make improvements within Taunton.

“The poster is eye-catching and will hopefully have the desired effect.

“Thanks are due to Taunton Forward and McDonald’s for this extra effort to help us make Taunton an attractive place to visit.”

Pam Knight, executive director of TauntonForward, said: “This is an excellent example of businesses working alongside the council to improve Taunton’s appeal.

 

“TauntonForward has been working on this initiative for a while and we are delighted that McDonald’s have got behind the DLO backed scheme. This is partnership working at its best.”

The Government is looking into raising fines for litter louts from £80 to £100, taxing chewing gum to pay for cleaning it up from pavements, forcing shops and food outlets to keep public spaces around their premises free from rubbish and making fast food chain packaging carry litter warnings.

Earlier this month is introduced a new law forcing large shops to charge customers 5p for plastic carrier bags to cut down on litter and environmental damage.