​Keep Scotland Beautiful calls for communities to get involved in its projects

Local volunteers and entire communities are being urged to come together to clean and green up the areas they live, work and play in.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) is calling for groups from across the country to register to take part in either the Beautiful Scotland or It's Your Neighbourhood campaigns.

For 50 years the projects have supported and celebrated the achievements of communities throughout Scotland in their work to improve local environmental quality.

The campaigns focus on year round horticultural and gardening achievements, environmental responsibility and community participation, with recognition being given for exemplar work in areas such as tourism, biodiversity and sustainability.

Environmental enhancement can make significant improvements to health and well-being as well as creating further community cohesion

Derek Robertson, chief executive of KSB, said: “All year round, communities across Scotland are doing their bit to ensure local spaces are clean, green and beautiful, and all too often these efforts are overlooked - yet the economic value of the hours people volunteer stands at almost £3 million a year.

“The Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood campaigns provide the opportunity for us to support the work that they do, celebrate their achievements and encourage even more communities to participate.

“Local environmental enhancement can make significant improvements to health and well-being in local communities, as well as creating further community cohesion.

“With more than 200 groups taking part in last years’ initiatives, we hope to see record breaking numbers participating in the 2016 golden anniversary celebrations - enhancing cities, towns and villages, and creating more civic pride Scotland-wide.”

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, participants will be provided with a free packet of native seeds and asked to plant in the four colours of the Keep Scotland Beautiful saltire logo. Projects will then be assessed for the most innovative and creative planting.

Keep Scotland Beautiful is also calling for all entrants - past and present - to share images, photography and their own memories of taking part in the campaigns on social media using #beautifulscotland or via email to [email protected]

Online registration for both campaigns is now open. Further information can be found hereand here.