THE Alton Society’s annual autumn litter pick attracted a record turn out of more than 60 volunteers - with the age group spanning from families with young children to seniors.

There was even and a special helping hand from Alton Town Council leader Matthew Bayliss at the September 15 clean up.

Alton Society spokesman Bob Booker said: “This is the best turn out in the history of doing these litter picks and reflects the greater concern and awareness of this in modern society. The volunteers were divided into teams and scoured the town centre, its car parks and its alleyways for litter.

“Some roads such as Turk Street, Windmill Hill, Drayman’s Way, Wilsom Road and Station Road were also cleared. We collected 70 black bin bags in just two-and-a-half hours!”

Mr Booker said that just like during the spring litter pick, the main problem was discarded cigarette butts.

"Despite the many bins provided to stub out lighted cigarettes, it appears some smokers continue to let the town down," he said.

"They are littering when they drop their butts in the street or gutter. It takes 10 years for most butts to decompose, and meanwhile they find their way into our river courses, sewage treatment centres, and the sea.

“Cans and bottles featured too but there were not so many plastic bags. There is no doubt the charge for these bags has reduced the number thrown away. When the government introduces a deposit return system on bottles and cans, that will make a difference."

Mr Booker continued: “The High Street and Public Gardens showed improvement. Our local street sweeper does a good job.”

Blackspots included the area around Sainsbury’s garage, the hedge bordering Mount Pleasant car park near The Ivy House pub, areas of the car park by the community centre, the forecourt and car park at the railway station, all the town’s car parks, the gutter outside Threadgolds Newsagents, the back of Mountain Warehouse, the Food and Wine Store at the junction of Littlefield Road and Anstey Road, the corner at Waitrose with its entrance to the Industrial Estate, and the old magistrates’ court.

The Alton Society thanked everyone "members and non-members who turned out to help restore Alton to a town we can all be proud of”.

Joining the throng, the Ashdell Residents’ Association did “a great job” working in tandem with the society and the Church Triangle Residents’ Association took part for the first time.

Thanks go also to East Hampshire District Council contractors idVerde for supplying equipment, to Alton Town Council for disposing of the bags of litter, and to The George pub which provided free coffee for the volunteers at the end of the session.

Mr Booker added: “Can we all now speak up when we see litter offenders? Perhaps when we have our spring litter picks all the cigarette butts will have already reached their allocated bins!”