The three New Forest chief executives took their work outside, and made a stand to stamp out litter.

They joined together to officially launch Forest Force, starting with a week-long event to encourage hundreds of volunteers to swoop on litter blackspots in the New Forest National Park and beyond, starting on Saturday 24 March.

Volunteer teams will collect litter in car parks, along roadsides, on beaches and in the open forest. At the same time, children will be litter-picking at a number of schools and staff from the three organisations leading the campaign will be joining in, making it the biggest combined effort in over 30 years of spring clean events.

Lindsay Cornish, chief executive of the New Forest National Park Authority, said: �Litter mars the natural beauty of the New Forest and it is a health hazard to people and animals.

�We believe this initiative will make a big difference now and send out a clear anti-litter message for the future.�

Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest for the Forestry Commission, Mike Seddon, said: �Forest Force unites everyone who loves the forest and wants to play a part in protecting it.

�Supporting the Force is all about giving as much or as little as you can to take care of this beautiful area so that everyone can continue to enjoy the benefits that it brings.�

Dave Yates, chief executive of New Forest District Council, said: �We are very grateful to all of those who are giving their time and energy to help us tackle litter in the New Forest and we hope more will want to join the Forest Force in the future.�

Members of the Forest Force will receive caps or T-shirts bearing a distinctive new logo and schools will receive a special certificate to mark their efforts.

The annual litter picks are taking place on:

Saturday 24 March - Holmsley Walk car park Sunday 25 March - Blackwater car park Monday 26 March - Forestry Commission car park at Bolton�s Bench Tuesday 27 March - Spring Bushes car park Wednesday 28 March - Marchwood car park Thursday 29 March - Anderwood car park

(Booking is essential)

People wishing to attend a litter pick, or to join Forest Force, should call the Forestry Commission on 023 8028 6840, or email litter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

For more information about the clean up events visit www.newforest.gov.uk or www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest or www.newforestnpa.gov.uk.

In the future it is hoped that the Forest Force will get involved in other campaigns to improve life in the New Forest such as encouraging drivers to slow down to reduce the number of animal accidents.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors Please find attached a picture of the three Chief Executives, (L�R) Dave Yates, Lindsay Cornish and Mike Seddon taking their work outside at Bolton�s Bench, Lyndhurst. A jpg of the Forest Force logo is also attached.

For further information, please contact: Karen Evans, communications officer, New Forest National Park Authority Tel: 01590 646650 Email: karen.evans@newforestnpa.gov.uk