VOLUNTEERS are being urged to sign up for the New Forest's annual spring clean.

Litter picks in previous years have seen items including engine parts, a rubber duck, a shopping basket and even half a canoe removed from the forest.

Anyone who is part of a local group, society or business is asked to round up their members for this year's event, due to take place from March 2-4.

A number of events have been planned for the event, part of the Great British Spring Clean, a national campaign led by Keep Britain Tidy.

You can search for a litter picking event near you at greatbritishspringclean.org.uk or go to .newforest.gov.uk/tidyup if you’d like more information about how to organise your own event locally.

Cllr Alison Hoare, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Regulatory Services at New Forest District Council, said: "In previous years the spring clean weekend has seen hundreds and hundreds of bags of litter collected.

"Whatever is discarded poses a risk to the animals and the area and I am glad to be able to support this worthwhile event."

Edward Heron, Deputy Chairman of New Forest National Park Authority added: "I hope groups from across the National Park will sign up to clean up their neighbourhoods this spring. It will help us ensure that unsightly and potentially harmful litter is reduced in one of Britain's most treasured landscapes."

Bruce Rothnie, Deputy Surveyor at the Forestry Commission, added: ‘We fully support the Great British Spring Clean campaign to encourage people to help keep the New Forest litter free so it can be appreciated by everyone.

"Leaving rubbish in the forest can have damaging effects on the Forest’s fragile ecosystem. We all have a role to play in making sure the New Forest is kept clean whether we’re a resident, or just visiting."