TODAY we announce the third winner of a Wirral Globe Community Hero award.

As we have continued to rebuild and recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the awards are given to honour those who have gone above and beyond in the last 20 months.

The awards will recognise the everyday heroes and those working in business, education and hospitality who have stepped up.

The third winner to be announced is for the category Environmental Hero.

This award will recognise street cleaners, litter pickers, refuse workers or campaigners who have strived to improve our environment. They will have shown an understanding of why our environment was especially important during the pandemic, demonstrated creativity in their approach and maintained a positive outlook, keeping spirits high.

We are delighted to announce that the winner of our third award is Wirral Wombles.

This group of like-minded people come together early this year to inspire and support each other to make the Wirral an even better place to live.

Anyone can be a ‘womble’ – all they have to do is pledge to pick up a couple of pieces of litter when they’re out and about. Their Facebook group boasts more than 2,700 members, who post photos regularly of their own litter picks which can range from one or two items to three or four binbags full.

The group, which was created by sisters Lindsey Whitley and Andrea Cutts, even keep careful records of how much rubbish they collect and share their data with the group.

The Wombles say: "Wirral Wombles all began because we just wanted to get like-minded people who love and appreciate our wonderful Wirral peninsula together. It's been fantastic to find so many wonderful people, some who were already active as litter pickers and others who have been inspired by the group.

"We love the idea of keeping your patch clean and giving the Wirral the love it deserves."

Highly Commended in this category is the New Brightenneers who are a group of volunteers helping to keep the beaches and waters in and around New Brighton clean and free of rubbish.

Congratulations to the Wirral Wombles – our third Wirral Globe Community Hero of 2021. Also well done to the New Brighteneers.