From Friday 22 to Sunday 24 September Italy's "Clean up the World" initiative will take place, an event in which ordinary citizens of all ages play their part in ridding their local city streets, parks, piazze and rivers of rubbish.

"Clean up the World" is a symbolic and concrete worldwide campaign organised in Italy by environmental group Legambiente with the aim of saving one's city from degradation.

It is supported by the ministry of environment and education as well as Italian television broadcaster RAI, which will be giving live transmissions throughout the clean-up period.

This yearly event has been held in Italy since 1994. It started in Australia in 1989 when 40,000 volunteers cleaned up the beach near the Sydney harbour. It is held in conjunction with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and takes place in 122 countries involving some 35 million people worldwide.

To participate telephone Legambiente on 0685358051/77 or visit www.legambiente.com.