Jet washing machines are being rolled out across Sutton as part of a huge deep clean campaign to get the borough's high streets read for the summer ahead.

Sutton Council say the jet washers will form part of their new ‘Spick & Span Sutton’ programme in partnership with waste and streets partner Veolia.

They will be deployed over the coming weeks to give parts of the borough like Sutton, Wallington and Worcester Park’s town centres a “deep clean”.

Cllr Manuel Abellan, chair of the council’s environment and neighbourhood committee, said: “Our high streets and town centres are the lifeblood of the borough. It’s vital we do everything we can to support local traders and businesses by creating retail environments that are clean and pleasant to spend time in. It’s a sad fact that we have to spend millions of pounds every year cleaning up litter that has been dropped.

“I’m pleased to be launching Spick & Span Sutton this week [April 5], which will help make our town centres look their best. But this is about much more than just the council spending extra money on street cleansing.

“It’s about us working in partnership with our residents to make the borough the best it can possibly be. We want to do more to support community groups and individuals take pride in their local area; whether that be organising a large-scale community clean up, or just deciding to pick up a few pieces of litter on their daily commute.

“It all helps and it all contributes to making Sutton a better place to live, work and study.”

Residents are also encouraged to get involved as bags and litter pickers will be provided, as well as collection points for community groups.

Those who don’t join up can still take an “online pledge”.

Funding for the new council programme was provided by the Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

It forms part of a £9.75 million national grant, announced last month, “to help support town centres across the country”.

Mick Beach, street manager for Veolia Sutton, said: “Our teams work hard all year round to keep the streets of Sutton clean. They are the front line tackling problems that affect the environment everyday like littering and fly tipping.

“We're delighted to have the opportunity to work with communities and do these deeper cleans and we look forward to seeing some very satisfying results.”

You can find out more at: www.sutton.gov.uk/spickandspan.