People are being asked to help clean up a part of the south of the island.

Rushen Commissioners have organised it after local people voiced concern about the state of the area near Ballakillowey roundabout.

One wrote to the local authority to highlight the litter on the road and pavement near the railings by the roundabout.

She was concerned that people putting up and removing banners on the railings near the roundabout were leaving a mess.

’I have been past again three more times since initially picking up the rubbish and each time I have picked up at least two more cable ties, plus other rubbish such as string,’ said the woman, who wished to remain anonymous.

After she pointed out that there was no bin between the roundabout and the Level, near Colby, the commissioners placed a bin at the bus stop near the roundabout.

The commissioners have no direct responsibility for policing the banners at the roundabout as this is primarily a matter for the adjacent landowners and the government’s Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture.

The commissioners say they have been loath to report the banners, which appear to contravene legislation relating to advertising in the countryside, as they often promote charitable and community events.

But they say they have become increasingly concerned that private business have started advertising at the roundabout, and they have agreed to take action to remove these as soon as practicable after they appear.

Now the commissioners have organised a second ’community clean up’ on Saturday, June 29, meeting at 2pm at the Croit e Caley road junction at The Level.

Beach Buddies have agreed to assist them and they are looking for as many volunteers as possible to help tidy the roads, footpaths and hedges at the Level, Croit e Caley, the Ballagawne Road and Ballakillowey Road.

The commissioners’ clerk, Phil Gawne, said that the parish clean up held last year had been a great success but more could be done with more volunteers.

’We found decades-old rubbish and litter when we tidied up the Ballafesson and Surby area last summer,’ he said.

’With just a small number of dedicated volunteers we filled a lot of bags with rubbish, so if anyone can spare an hour or two to on Saturday 29th to help keep the parish tidy, the commissioners would be very pleased to see them.’

He added that the commissioners remained disappointed and frustrated by the ’careless and feckless’ nature of people who throw their rubbish out of car windows.

Mr Gawne said: ’The commissioners find it hard to understand how it appears to some people acceptable to litter our beautiful countryside rather than take their litter home.

’The commissioners will be further considering what action they can take to address the litter problem which occasionally blights the parish at their June meeting.’

Bill Dale from Beach Buddies praised the commissioners for once again taking an initiative to tidy the parish.

’We’re very pleased to be able to support the commissioners and hope that as many people as possible can come along and remove the plague of litter,’ he said.