Residents and traders are being asked to set aside a little time over the coming weekend to help clean up Falmouth in the hope the town can be transformed into a rubbish and weed-free zone.

The campaign to give the town a make-over by encouraging people to take ownership of the area immediately outside their home or business was the idea of town councillors Grenville Chappel and Diana Merrett.

The pair were on duty at the council’s monthly surgery when complaints were received about the state of the town which spurred them into action. They have made public appeals for people to pledge their support and are now planning to plough ahead with the clean up this weekend.

The initial plan was to set aside one day for the clean up, but mindful that people may have restrictions on their time which could prevent them from committing to a specific day, Councillor Chappel has decided to extend it over the weekend.

“We will now be starting it at 5pm on Friday and continuing until first thing on Monday,” he said. “A lot of people have come up to me and said what a great idea it is and that they will be out and about on their estates around Falmouth.

“We are just asking that everyone gives up a little time to go out and tidy up the area outside their own home or business. If we all spent just 30 minutes tidying up around our own areas we can make a real difference to Falmouth. I will definitely be out cleaning my area.”

Councillor Merrett will also be making an extra effort this weekend. “I am out doing this almost every day as it is and I am sick to death of people who just don’t care. People have been sending me photographs of areas that are particular hot-spots so hopefully they will be targeted this weekend.

“As I clean outside my house every day, I will be moving a little further afield at the weekend and am thinking of the area around Vernon Place and Merrill Place. The students who live around there have left now and so the area needs a tidy up.” PCSOs Sean McDonnell and Ellie Grey will be out with the Waterfront Crew and police cadets respectively and are expected to target old people’s complexes where the residents are less able to carry out the work themselves.

One business owner in Falmouth has lent his support to the campaign by offering to “name and shame” offenders who leave their rubbish prey to hungry seagulls.

Andy Campbell of Imagedelivery in Webber Street, said: “If it helps, I will happily photograph, print and deliver ‘name and shame’ flyers to businesses and other locations which make no effort to remedy the constant problem of leaving rubbish vulnerable to seagulls’ attacks.

“Falmouth has very good cleaners I see every morning, however, there’s no reason they should have to clear up such volumes of rubbish.” Are you planning to support the Clean Up Falmouth campaign this weekend? If so email the details of when and where you will be working to helen.dale@packetseries.co.uk.