Lily's 'keep it clean' message to Evenwood

A DILIGENT youngster who designed a litter prevention poster has seen her work brought front and centre in her village.

Lily Dodds’ poster has appeared on bins in Evenwood as part of Durham County Council’s Spruce Up operation.

The 11-year-old’s effort was one of a number made by Evenwood Primary School pupils but Lily’s was judged the winner late last month.

Lily said: “People come through the village – if it looks dirty they won’t come again.

“We kept our school clean and tidy as well.”

Her poster features figures leading by example by picking up detritus and now serves as a reminder on bins in the village.

Unfortunately, a number of the stickers have already been pulled off.

But consolation has come from Evenwood Parish Council who recognised Lily’s competition win with a £25 prize from the parish chairwoman’s fund.

Cllr Anne Lyons said: “I think we need to encourage the children. A lot of youngsters do clean up after themselves.

“It’s getting it through to them it’s normal and natural behaviour.”

Cllr Mary Prince thought the littering situation was getting worse and blamed passing motorists for some of the problems.

She added: “We had KFC wrappers everywhere.

“It tends not to be the children but the older ones.”