VOLUNTEER clean-up crews were recognised for their commitment and dedication recently as North Ayrshire Council’s Streetscene team hosted an awards lunch event at Saltcoats Town Hall.

Around 50 volunteers from groups, including Irvine Clean-Up Crew and Friends of Stevenston Beach, were invited along to the event, where they heard informative talks from Fly Tipping Officer Alan Scott, Keep Scotland Beautiful, the North Ayrshire Ranger Service and the Waste Awareness Team.

Certificates were presented in recognition of the hard work and dedication shown by the volunteers, who give up their free time to clean up their local open green spaces and beaches.

And an extra special ‘Environmental Ambassador’ award was presented to Ian Cassidy of Friends of Stevenston Beach, with the group being praised for their continued devotion to maintaining a clean and healthy area for all to enjoy.

The group has removed a staggering 10,041 bags of rubbish from the Three Towns area – 6,116 bags from Stevenston Beach alone – which is the equivalent to over 2.1 million items of litter in total.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “The awards lunch was about giving something back to those people in our communities who work tirelessly to make their local area more attractive to both residents and visitors alike.

“We are extremely grateful for the work that they do, and applaud their sense of civic pride and dedication to their cause.”

This event was hosted by North Ayrshire Council’s Acting Streetscene Strategy Manager James Heaney, with Senior Manager Thomas Reaney presenting the awards.