STUDENTS have made a pledge to keep their community clean by signing up to an adoption scheme.

More than 20 staff and students from the University of Reading registered for the Reading Adopt Your Street (RAYS) initiative in partnership with Reading Borough Council.

There are now nearly 200 volunteers looking after more than 100 roads across the borough by meeting regularly to collect litter.

Councillor Liz Terry, lead member for Neighbourhoods, said: “I am really pleased the RAYS scheme is being used as an opportunity for students at the University of Reading to forge closer links with the local community.

“The efforts of the students, with the guidance of the Redlands Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), should have a big impact on the appearance of the area and I would like to thank both parties for their involvement.

“The number of people signing up to the RAYS scheme continues to grow which is really good news for neighbourhoods across Reading.”

Volunteers are supplied with litter picking equipment by the council to help keep their adopted streets looking good and reduce the strain on the council’s normal street cleaning resources.

Reading Borough Council launched RAYS in March after winning £10,000 funding from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.

Hamilton Road Resident’s Association, Katesgrove Primary School and Alfred Sutton Primary School have also signed up to RAYS.

Sarah Gardner, community relations manager at the university, added: “The University of Reading is keen to be a good neighbour in the local community and we are pleased to work alongside the council and local residents as part of the RAYS scheme.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Reading Adopt Your Street programme should call (0118) 937 3534 or email RAYS@reading.gov.uk