An oil drum, an old carpet, and a large child's toy car were among the rubbish collected from Huthwaite Welfare Park as the council started its Big Spring Clean.

The spring clean gives residents the opportunity to dispose of extra waste and put pride back into Ashfield, the district council said.

The campaign kicked off in Huthwaite with a big litter pick on Welfare Park led by councillors, council staff and volunteers.

This year, in addition to the waste campaigns, Ashfield District Council is also delivering planters, compost, and flower and vegetable seeds to 16 primary schools in Ashfield.

This week residents in Sutton and Kirkby can leave an extra bag of household waste out with their bins on their usual collection day. Residents in Hucknall and the Rurals can leave their extra bag out on the week commencing 6 March. 

The flying skips - bin lorries that rotate across Ashfield - are out over the next three weekends starting Saturday 25 in Sutton, Saturday 4 March in Hucknall, and Saturday 11 March in Kirkby and the Rurals.

The free bulky waste collections will start again in April with Kirkby and the Rurals, moving to Hucknall in May, and Sutton in June before the rotation starts again.

Each household has four opportunities throughout the year to book their one free collection of up to three items. Collections can be booked via Ashfield 24/7 on the council's website or by calling 01623 450000.

Cllr Samantha Deakin, executive lead member for parks, town centres and environmental services, said: "The biggest Ashfield Spring Clean has started with a bang in Huthwaite.

"This year we are pleased to say that we have extended the offering of the Spring Clean and we are hosting community litter picks every week on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for the next three weeks, so everyone can get involved and help clean up the district."