SOME of Bournemouth's biggest eyesores - including a footpath strewn with needles and broken glass - will be targeted during a 'spring clean' this month.

The Big Bournemouth Clean Up, organised by the Bournemouth Town Centre BID and Healthy High Streets, will launch on Wednesday, March 29.

Helpers are needed to target some of the town's most badly-littered areas, including Old Christchurch Road.

Steve Hughes, manager of the BID, said: "We'll be giving the town centre a good spring clean ready for the Easter period.

"We're calling on the support of business owners, visitors and residents as we want everyone to take pride in our town centre so it stands out as a great place to live, work and visit.

"Sadly, too many people think they can drop their rubbish and litter where they like, and that doesn't create a great impression.

"We want out residents and visitors to take delight in the town centre and help restore pride in the town."

The litter pick will begin at 11am next to Horseshoe Common.

Volunteers and town rangers will then work their way down Old Christchurch Road, tidying the main route as well as some side roads, into the Square, up to the Triangle and along Poole Hill.

The team will clear some of Bournemouth's biggest "eyesores", including the Dalkeith Steps, which link Richmond Gardens to Old Christchurch Road.

In January, the Daily Echo reported that residents refuse to use the footpath because of the litter, which includes "dangerous" drug paraphernalia and broken glass.

Members of community group Dorset Devils will help with the litter pick.

Founder Peter Ryan said: "We want Bournemouth to be as litter-free as possible, but that means everyone needs to play their part for this to happen.

"It's great to see so many organisations come together to sweep the town centre clean.’’

Representatives from the Business in the Community Healthy High Streets initiative, which aims to revitalise town centres, will also help.

Wilko store manager Jayne Rees, who leads the Bournemouth Healthy High Streets programme, said: "This event aims to clean up large areas of the town ahead of the Easter shopping season.

"We want Bournemouth looking its best and providing a welcoming environment for visitors."

Anyone wishing to take part should contact Steve Hughes by emailing steve@towncentrebid.co.uk