CHARD town centre has been given a deep clean . . . and people are being urged to look after it.

Council workers and people supplied by the probation service were out in force with mechanical sweepers to get the town sparkling.

An anti-cigarette litter campaign has been launched and Chard Mayor Jenny Kenton hopes people will be more respectful.

She said: “I think it would be great if smokers could be a little more thoughtful disposing of their butts and packs.

“Chard looks really good now with the beautiful flowers, and some of the shops and buildings having a facelift.

“Cigarette butts are not just untidy, but unhealthy as well.

“It would take just a few more steps to bin the butts.”

Anti-cigarette litter posters will now go up, and Ed Ringwood, the town council’s operations manager, said: “A lot of cigarette butts are thrown into the streams in Fore Street, which can then end up in the reservoir.

“This causes environmental issues down at the nature reserve.

“We’re asking all smokers to start to make sure cigarette-related litter is put in bins.”

Councillors on the town council’s planning, highways and transport committee have thrown their weight behind the clean-up.

Cllr Brennie Halse said: “I’m particularly impressed with the way people work so quickly on Sunday mornings to clear up Saturday night’s mess in Fore Street.

“I’ve just walked by ‘The Minnows’ pond near Sainsbury’s, and sadly there’s litter floating on the water and cigarette ends by the seat.

“I’ll clear up the debris in order to support this very important campaign.”

Cllr Tony Prior said the deep clean was necessary and should be done every so often.

He said: “Litter’s filthy and offensive.

Unfortunately, some smokers think it’s OK to throw cigarette butts anywhere.

“I hope they get the message and behave responsibly.”

Cllr Martin Wale said it would be unfair to give the impression that Chard is worse than any other town in South Somerset.

He said: “With our own amenities team we have, in the past, scored higher for cleanliness than all other towns in the district when inspected, but anything that helps to keep up these standards is to be supported.”