Coalville businessman and politician Craig Smith is urging local businesses to team up to deal with litter problems in the area.

The owner of the Stealth Black Belt Academy fitness centre in Coalville says just two hours' effort a year from various companies can go a long way to addressing the issue.

He said: "It's no secret that litter is an ongoing issue in our communities, but what if I told you that just two hours per year from local businesses could make a massive difference?

"For the past three years, my business, Stealth Black Belt Academy, has taken an active role in cleaning up our local area.

"We don't do it for recognition, votes, or photo ops, we do it because a clean community benefits everyone.

"Just this week, alongside local Wombling champion Laywood Sam, we tackled Stephenson Industrial Estate as part of our third annual joint litter pick.

"In just a few hours, we collected 26 bags of rubbish (Wombles refer to it as GROT), bringing our three year total to over 100 bags.

"Our 'best' find this year? A laptop!

"And we had to send a search party out for my youngest son Kai, an instructor at the academy, who got so into his wombling he was still at it long after we'd finished.

"These numbers tell a story. Litter isn't going away overnight, but community action works. Every year, we see improvement, but only because people step up and get involved."

But Smith says he wants others to get involved in a similar way.

He added: "This is where I challenge local businesses. If just one business on each industrial estate in Coalville committed to two hours per year, the impact would be huge. Imagine the transformation if every trading estate took responsibility for its own patch!

"A clean environment isn't just about aesthetics. It creates pride in our communities, safer spaces, and a more positive atmosphere for workers, customers, and residents alike.

"So, if you're a local business owner, why not set an example? Rally your staff, grab some bags, and give back to the place that helps your business thrive. Two hours a year is all it takes, will your business step up?"