IPSWICH's streets may not be paved with gold but as a recent competition has shown they are not cluttered with litter either.The town has made it into the finals of the Clean Britain Awards in the cleanest borough section.

IPSWICH's streets may not be paved with gold but as a recent competition has shown they are not cluttered with litter either.

The town has made it into the finals of the Clean Britain Awards in the cleanest borough section.

A team of 24 workers, who strive to keep the town clear of litter, may be patting themselves on their backs but are also asking residents to help them win the competition.

The town just has to beat off competition from Lewisham to win the title at the finals next year.

Debbie Reeve, street care cleansing manager for Ipswich Borough Council, said: “We have worked really hard to tidy the town and educate people so I was not surprised to see we had made it through to the finals.”

In September members of Ipswich Borough Council will make a presentation to the Clean Britain judges.

Then there will be announced and unannounced visits to the town by the judging panel before the winner is announced in March 2007.

The British Cleaning Council run competition, sponsored by Kärcher UK, was formerly Britain's Cleanest City and now applauds the UK's cleanest city, town and district.

Judith West, chairman of the BCC said: “Ipswich has done very well to reach the final of our awards as it proves that it is one of Britain's cleanest and tidiest towns. In the past, becoming a finalist has launched many UK places into the spotlight giving their profile a huge boost and gaining them the reputation of a tidy destination.”