Wandsworth Council has been shortlisted for an environmental award for its street cleaning.

The council has issued its fifth news release about street cleanliness following our front page story last month, exposing mountains of litter lining the streets of Tooting.

It has now been announced the council has made the finals of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) Clean Britain Awards 2014 after recording a 30 per cent reduction in flytips last year.

The awards recognise excellence and best practice in street cleansing and local environmental quality and celebrate the importance of a clean and well maintained environment.

The council said the news also coincided with the publication of Government statistics that showed Wandsworth had the cleanest streets in inner London.

Community services spokesman Councillor Jonathan Cook said: "It is a testament to the hard work we put in to keeping our streets clean and tidy."

Last month we exposed overflowing bins, piles of empty takeaway bags and rubbish strewn across paths in Tooting, after which the council announced it had launched a new anti-litter campaign, highlighting that litter-picking was costing taxpayers nearly £4m a year. Initiatives introduced include vehicles sweeping and ‘hoovering up’ litter.

It was also announced the borough’s waste enforcement team will check businesses are following fly-tipping rules.

The council also issued a reminder that residents can have large items of household waste removed for a reduced rate and, most recently, advised people to dispose of refuse carefully to tackle the fox problem.

CIWM represents more than 7,000 waste professionals working in the sustainable resources and wastes management sectors.

If you see rubbish being dumped or fly-tipped in Wandsworth email wasteservices@wandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8871 8249.