CHARITIES in Rayleigh have been cleaning up, thanks to a new cash for trash initiative.

For the past month, litter placed into bins in Rayleigh High Street has been helping raise money for local charities.

The amount of litter placed into bins for a three month period this summer, will determine howmuch of a £500 total a chosen charity will receive each month.

Now into its second month, Rochford and Rayleigh Association for Voluntary Services is the chosen charity.

Services representative Susan Phillips said: “We are grateful to be a part of this project and it’s very encouraging that not only do we as a charity benefit from it, but it is a great way to keep the town tidy.”

The initiative is a partnership between Rochford District Council and Keep Britain Tidy, with cash from chewing gum producer Wrigley.

Phil Barton, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said: “No single organisation can solve the problem of litter, which costs us all about £1billion a year to deal with in England.”

As well as Voluntary Services, Wyvern Community Transport and the Mushroom Theatre Centre will benefit from the scheme.