A TOWN-WIDE campaign has been launched in a bid to keep the high street clean.

The campaign ‘We love our town’, organised by the Marlow Wombles, will see shops agree to keep the pavements in front of their store clear.

There have been around 20 shops on Spittal Street already accepting the responsibility by placing the campaign sticker, provided by Globe Print, in their windows.

The group will now tackle West Street and the High Street to get as many shops in the town as possible to join the campaign.

The campaign was launched after the group met at The Butcher’s Tap and Grill as Tom Kerridge became the first to back the initiative.

Tom Kerridge said: “The Wombles illustrate the strong community spirit Marlow has become known for, dedicating their time and energy to making the town a cleaner place for everyone.

“I’m fully behind their work.”

The Marlow Wombles was set up in 2018 by trio Maxine Caswell, Alison Edwards and Emma Hawkins after the town was named the “worst-kept”.

The group started off with the three founding members but now boasts over 450 volunteers.

Maxine said: “It went really well, we were really smiling after walking up and down Spittal Street.

“I have been saying for a couple of years, we can’t do this on our won.

“We need shops to be involved as well.”

Mayor Richard Scott said: “Marlow Town Council is pleased to support the ‘We love our town’ campaign and hopes that shops and businesses will put the stickers in their windows.

“Initiatives such as this will continue to make Marlow an attractive town for residents and visitors.”

Last October, a cigarette bin was installed on High Street following a campaign from the group.

There is set to be five more installed with strategic locations set to be decided.

Maxine added: “If people realised plastic was in a cigarette butt, maybe they wouldn’t do it.

“I think that needs to be made much more clear, that there is a lot of plastic in one butt end.

“If people just put it in the bin it wouldn’t go into the water, rivers and seas along with the fish.”

President of the Marlow Chamber of Commerce, Lesley James said: “The Marlow Wombles do an amazing job of promoting the benefits of a litter free town and encouraging the entire community to take responsibility for helping to keep Marlow looking great.

"And we are therefore delighted to support this latest initiative.

"It should be remembered, however, particularly with all the other challenges facing them right now, that businesses cannot be expected to solve the problems alone.

"We therefore hope this campaign will be an opportunity to encourage everyone with an interest in our town to do everything they can - and help extend the impact far beyond the shop fronts of those volunteering to take part...”