Local members of the Ulster Unionist Party and volunteers this week participated in the Omagh leg of an initiative to get communities involved in tidying up Northern Ireland.

Along with representatives of Tidy NI, Councillors Ross Hussey and Bert Wilson joined local volunteers to clean up the Campsie are of the town, with further events planned in Enniskillen, Antrim and throughout Northern Ireland.

Speaking from the event cllr Hussey said: "Along with local charity Tidy Northern Ireland we are hoping that we will be part of something which will spread across the province from to Castlederg to Carrickfergus. As an Ulster Unionist councillor I am very proud to work for the people of Omagh - a truly beautiful part of Northern Ireland.

"However, I recognise that many of our beauty spots are often plagued with random shopping trolleys, plastic carrier bags and rogue diet coke tins. This initiative is a perfect opportunity for the UUP to engage with local communities while doing something worthwhile and productive.

"By protecting and managing our environment here we will be able maximize Northern Ireland’s tourism potential while promoting the importance of working together as a community - that is the aim of this initiative - that is why it is so important to me."

In conjunction with the ’Tidy-up’ intiative across the province the UUP has submitted a motion to the NI Assembly asking the Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, to sponsor a ’Tidy Northern Ireland Day’ - asking that he work with local councils to encourage communities to get actively involved in tackling litter and improving their local area.

UUP Environment spokesperson Roy Beggs added: "This is an exciting project that the UUP is embarking on and one that I am proud to be affiliated with.

"In Northern Ireland we are lucky to have some of the most spectacular areas of outstanding beauty and to have these marred with unsightly rubbish is such a shame. In launching this initiative we are recognising our environmental assets and ensuring that they are preserved and passed on to future generations.

"The UUP is committed to looking after our environment through robust initiatives and policies. We recognise the need for partnership between the Executive, the Assembly, local government, local businesses, local farmers and importantly local communities. I would therefore encourage everyone to get involved in these events which will be running throughout Northern Ireland over the next few months."