'They call us the X-Men… but I’m no Wolverine!'

Gary Banks was awarded the Excellence in Enforcement Award

Cleaning up other people’s litter isn’t the most glamorous job but it has landed one west Cumbrian man with a Keep Britain Tidy Award.

Gary Banks, an enforcement officer for Cumberland Council, has been awarded the Excellence in Enforcement Award at the Keep Britain Tidy local authority Network Awards 2024.

Keep Britain Tidy said the award recognised Mr Banks' "dedication, determination, passion and drive to improve where he lives by continuously going above and beyond in tackling waste crime, empowering communities and being a friendly face on the streets".

Mr Banks told BBC Radio Cumbria: “The contractors call us the X-Men because we spray a big yellow cross on the things we find, which is a bit of banter. I’m no Wolverine, if you know what I mean.”

Competition is tough

The Keep Britain Tidy Network Conference and Awards is dedicated to recognising and promoting excellence in local environmental initiatives and brings together more than 150 decision makers from local authorities across England.

Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo said: “What wonderful news for Gary and the entire team.

"Their dedication and hard work in preserving the beauty of Cumberland are truly commendable."

Out of about 100 entries the environmental charity receives each year just three local authorities are shortlisted in each category, so the competition is tough.

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Our network awards celebrate the most innovative campaigns and solutions developed by local authorities to tackle issues like litter, fly-tipping and dog fouling.

"Our hope is that these fantastic initiatives will inspire others across the country to do the same.”