As its Clean Up Scotland campaign picks up steam, our award-winning initiative, which helps people improve their own streets and parks, continues to inspire people across the city.

More than 80% of the Keep Scotland Beautiful clean-ups which have taken place across the country since January have happened in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Yesterday we highlighted the work carried out by schools across Glasgow in making the city a better and cleaner place.

Evening Times editor Tony Carlin, said: "It is very encouraging to hear that Glasgow is leading the way in the Clean Up Scotland campaign.

"Our own initiative, Streets Ahead, made people think about what they could do in their own areas and it has inspired a whole range of fantastic environmental projects, from community gardens to litter-picks.

"By creating a network of Street Champions, everyone is working together to improve the city, one street at a time."

Carole Noble, head of environmental campaigns at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "Streets Ahead is a brilliant local initiative.

"Just like our Clean Up Scotland campaign, it encourages people to take pride in their surroundings and play a part in their improvement."

St Brendan's Primary, in Yoker, is one of dozens of local schools and groups planning more events as Clean Up Scotland continues.

Teacher Jaclyn Leishman said: "We are really looking forward to taking part and plan to pick up litter and tidy our own school grounds and the local neighbourhood."

Clean Up Scotland aims to involve a million people in making Scotland shine.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "Glasgow and the west have made a flying start to the Clean Up Scotland campaign.

"Other villages, towns and cities across Scotland are doing well, but we have to commend Glasgow in particular for the action that its people have been taking so far.

"2014 is a big year for Scotland.

"When Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games, the world will be watching us, and the people of Glasgow are reacting in the right way to ensure the city is seen in the best light."

Glasgow City Council was one of the earliest supporters of Clean Up Scotland.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "I'm delighted that Glasgow residents are making such a stellar contribution to this campaign."

"We have an army of dedicated volunteers who, as part of our own Clean Glasgow Campaign, regularly give up their time to hold clean-ups in their own communities."

Clean Glasgow is one of our high-profile Streets Ahead partners, alongside Glasgow Housing Association, City Charitable Trust and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.

ann.fotheringham@ eveningtimes.co.uk