PEOPLE are being urged to don their rubber gloves and get ready to clean up the city for OxClean 2011.

The annual clean-up is organised by local group OxClean — once again acting in partnership with The Oxford Times — and will take place on the weekend of March 4 and 5.

This year, the campaign’s main message is ‘don’t drop it’ — and Oxford’s bus companies and black cabs have joined up to promote the campaign.

OxClean spokesman Pauline Martin said: “This year, we are focusing not only on the people who turn up to help clean up Oxford, but everyone, from the tourists to the students and residents.

“This year, we want to make the problem of litter belong to all the people who drop it and make them think twice.”

She added: “It’s a big ask to change people’s attitudes, but it has been done — people don’t use as many plastic bags now and can’t smoke in public places.

”The more people that take part, the bigger the impact on our city and the stronger our voice when campaigning for a cleaner Oxford throughout the year.”

Posters for the campaign will go in Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company buses, and Oxford’s 400 hackney carriages will be displaying posters in their windows.

Louisa Weeks, operations director for the Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’re delighted to continue our support for OxClean.

“We’ve been involved since the start and, again this year, we will be promoting the ‘don’t drop it’ campaign on our buses.

“In addition the message will feature prominently on the display screens on our BrookesBus services.”

And Stagecoach spokesman Chris Child said: “Stagecoach is pleased to help OxClean as we have the same ambition to see a cleaner, greener, Oxford.”

OxClean 2010 saw a record turnout of 117 community groups and schools, with an estimated 1,700 volunteers taking part.

This year, more than 70 groups have already signed up, including the Rose Hill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association.

Chairman Peter Wilkinson said: “Last year, a number of groups in Rose Hill took part in a fairly small way.

“What we are hoping this year is that the groups can get together this year and provide a much bigger effort.

“The more the merrier really, we are hoping to make a big impression.”

For more details and to register for the big weekend, visit oxclean.org.uk