A NATIONAL litter pick-up, designed to draw attention to the UN summit on climate change next month in Paris, is the idea of a vicar’s son from the Wirral.

The Vicar of Christ Church, Higher Bebington, the Revd Mike Loach, said that his ten-year-old son came up with the idea of a “Great British Litter Pick” when the family were discussing the talks, which will involve more than 190 nations. They are meeting to discuss a new global agreement on climate change.

A 200-mile pilgrimage to Paris for the talks has been organised by the Church of England, Christian Aid, CAFOD, and Tearfund. This will start from St Martin-in-the-Fields, in London, next Friday.

Mr Loach said that the “Great British Litter Pick” was a way of including people who were not able to do the walk, but wanted to show their commitment to creating a more sustainable world.

He said: “We hope churches and individuals might hold a litter pick-up the weekend before the UN Convention begins, on 30 November, to raise awareness of the talks and create a connection in people’s minds that the Church is supportive of a sustainable future.

“We want people to be aware there is a link between environmental responsibility and good stewardship as a Christian value. Picking up litter is a low-maintenance act that most people can just get on with.”

Details, and a poster to advertise a litter pick-up are available on www.thebigtidyup.org, and have also been sent out to dioceses.