THE call has gone out for volunteers to join the big annual spring clean of Oxford.

Last year, more than 2,000 people joined a two-hour litter pick at locations across the city.

And with OxClean 2012 being launched this week, organisers are hopeful of attracting the same level of support from schools, residents’ groups, community organisations and local businesses.

OxClean is being run by Oxford Civic Society, with The Oxford Times and Oxford City Council again acting as partners.

The spring clean will take place over two days on Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3.

Last spring saw 118 community groups and state schools leading the way, removing massive quantities of litter and scrap that blighted the city. Organisers say 66 schools and groups have already registered for what will be the fifth Oxford spring clean.

OxClean spokesman Christine Thompson said: “The more people who take part, the bigger the impact on the city. As well as removing litter, the event boosts awareness that a cleaner, tidier Oxford is a better place.

“But we need groups to register as early as possible, so that we can organise equipment and the pick-up of collected litter over the weekend. OxClean will distribute litter pickers and sacks to registered groups, with city council picking up whatever we collect.”

While many groups focus on their neighbourhood and open spaces, groups are also encouraged to adopt neglected ‘grot-spots’ across the city.

Ms Thompson said: “As well as groups, we are looking for individuals to join in. When they register, we will put them in touch with a group tackling a grot-spot or one in their neighbourhood.”

An impressive cross-section of the city has taken part in previous years, including student groups, friends of local parks, allotment associations, nurseries and children’s centres, and parish councils. Rowers and canoeists also got involved, removing rubbish from rivers.

Anyone wishing to register or report local grot-spots should visit oxclean.org for information.

Community Groups who have registered so far: Bike Safe West Oxford, North Oxford Assn, Canalside Environment Group, Northfield Brook Churches Together, Old Marston Parish Council, Dean Court CAG, Oxford Civic Society, Divinity Road Area Residents, Oxford High School Ecology Club, Feilden Grove RA, Reliance Way area, Granville Court Residents Company, Rotary Club of Oxford North, Headington School - Boarders, SENDRA, Headington School - CAS, Ss Mary & John Church, Hinksey Park Group, St Clement's Church (aka Angels), Jericho Community Association, St Margaret's Area Society, Low Carbon Barton, Sustrans City Rangers, Marston Ferry & Blackhall Allotment Society, The Friends of the Trap Grounds, Mileway Gardens, Wadham Park Wanderers, Madina Mosque, Weirs Lane, North Hinksey Nature Reserve Clean-up Group.

State Schools who have registered so far:

Botley Primary, SS Philip and James CofE V Aided Primary, Cheney School, St Aloysius' Catholic Primary School, Cutteslowe Primary, St Andrew's CE Primary School, East Oxford Primary School, School Council, St Barnabas CE (Aided) Primary School, Iffley Mead School, St Christopher's Cof E Primary, John Henry Newman School, St Francis CofE Primary, Larkrise Primary School, St Gregory the Great Catholic Secondary, Matthew Arnold School, St John Fisher Catholic Primary, New Hinksey Primary, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, New Marston Primary School, St Michael's CE Primary School, Orchard Meadow Primary, St Nicholas Primary School, Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, The Oxford Academy, Oxford Spires School, The Cherwell School, Pegasus Primary School, West Oxford Primary School, Rose Hill Primary, Windale Community Primary School, Sandhills Primary School, Wolvercote Primary School, SS Mary & John CofE Primary KS1, Woodfarm Primary School, SS Mary & John CofE Primary KS2.