A COMMUNITY-SPIRITED McDonald’s restaurant owner has taken his commitment to keeping the streets clean to the next level with the decision to sponsor community litter vans for the next three years.

Businessman Carl Room, who has worked with the fast-food chain for thirty years and now owns nine restaurants in Swindon, struck the deal with Haydon Wick Parish Council after deciding that simply keeping the area around his own outlets clean was not enough.

On Monday, Haydon Wick Parish Councillor Paul Booth visited McDonald’s at the Orbital Retail Park to unveil the new-look litter vans.

Cllr Booth said: “This new partnership with Carl Room and McDonald’s is fantastic for the local area and environment.

“Our ambition is to work together to make Haydon Wick a cleaner place to live for both residents and people coming to visit, and this is a positive step to help us achieve this goal.”

Carl has been a keen supporter of the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ campaign for some years but was inspired to take his support a step further after a litter pick event at the retail park in August last year.

Staff from businesses including McDonald’s, Homebase and Asda took to the surrounding streets and footpaths led by local councillors in an effort to increase cooperation and keep the area clean at the same time.

Carl said: “I am excited to have the opportunity to build a stronger working relationship with Haydon Wick Parish Council.

“I really admire the work they do to help keep our lovely community looking at its best.

“By sponsoring both the refuse collection vehicles and bins, we are able to communicate directly with residents and help make them aware of the work being done to remove discarded litter.

“I hope this will inspire others to join in our efforts and encourage even more people to get involved with both daily efforts as well as bigger events to help tackle litter across the parish.”

The amenities team at Haydon Wick Parish Council have three refuse collection vehicles which are used for general work around the local area including the emptying of rubbish bins and dog waste bins.

Clerk of the Council, Terry Powell, said: “Two of the vehicles are used for litter specifically and these are the vehicles which will carry the McDonald’s branding.

The sponsorship deal is worth £1,300 per year over three years - the signs were paid for by McDonald’s themselves.

“The income will be put against the council budget generally to help the keep the council tax precept down.”

In addition to sponsoring the vehicles, Carl has also agreed to purchase two additional litter bins which will be installed near to his restaurant at the Orbital Retail Park.