Litter pick volunteers clean up the Tyrone countryside

LITTER pick volunteers were busy cleaning up rural roads around Tyrone’s beautiful countryside over the mid-term break.

In Loughmacrory, more than 50 families collected 116 bags of rubbish, while in Drumquin a similar community initiative saw willing volunteers fill over 70 bags.

Mid-Tyrone councillor, Pádraigín Kelly, who organised the Loughmacrory litter pick, said she thought that it would be best to do it over mid-term as the local children  didn’t have anywhere to go and the  rural roads were a “complete disgrace” with litter.

The councillor said, “I hope by getting families out to do the litter pick, we will educate the next generation not to litter. All families went out in their own bubbles on each day and all was well within the Covid-19 guidelines.

“We had 53 families take part which is an excellent testament to the community of Loughmacrory who, no matter what is asked of them, volunteer in their numbers.

“My message to those who are responsible would be, simply take it home and put it in the bin. Litter not only makes our beautiful countryside look awful, but will impact on animals and wildlife.”

Meanwhile, Saturday morning saw the start of the Drumquin community litter pick initiative, organised by Tanya Beattie.

Despite the damp conditions, litter-pickers had fun as they tidied the roads around Drumquin.

More than 70 large bags of rubbish were collected on roadsides and hedges by the willing volunteers.