Havering Council is to spend an extra �250,000 improving public areas across the borough, as part of a new wide-reaching Cleaner Havering campaign.

Earlier this year the council asked residents to take part in a Spring Clean survey, to tell them what they think of their part of the borough and how clean it is.

Thousands responded, with three quarters saying their part of the borough, their local streets and their local parks were clean and tidy.

Residents also told the council what they would most like to see improved.

Dog mess, general litter and petty vandalism were the main concerns.

Residents would also like more seating in parks and town centres, more trees and plants and improvements in some areas to public lighting.

Now the council plans to inject �250,000 to meet the top priorities, including tackling dog mess.

Residents will now be able to fill in a confidential, online reporting form.

Council staff will be at the Havering Show (August 26-27), giving out information about the campaign and free dog mess bags and pooper scoopers to encourage responsible dog ownership.

Cabinet member for StreetCare, Cllr Barry Tebbutt, said:

“Residents have told us they want to get involved and organise community clean-ups in their own areas. We’re going to support groups of enthusiastic residents with the tools, help and advice they need to give their neighbourhoods a good clean.”

Leader of the council, Cllr Michael White, said: “It’s not secret the Council has less money, but we are still going to listen to our residents and invest in the things that matter most. We’ve set aside �250,000 to make some practical changes to the borough and we’ll spend it on the things you’d like to see improved.”