An eight-year contract to clean Allerdale's streets and open spaces has been awarded to Tivoli.

The firm has carried out grounds maintenance for the borough authority since 2003. It won for the new contract, which merges its existing contract with street cleaning services for the first time.

The firm said it will introduce rapid response teams to tackle issues on the street quickly and staff's staggered shift patterns will make sure key areas are cleaned before 8am and that all areas are cleaned during the day and into the evening.

Tivoli also pledged to continue to work with local volunteer groups, town and parish councils and Allerdale Borough Council to support community clean-up schemes and other community-led.

Charles Holmes, head of community services at Allerdale council, said: “Allerdale is very much looking forward to this new phase of working in collaboration with Tivoli and the integrated approach that is being taken leading to clean streets and well maintained open spaces across the borough, as we recognise just how important a clean and green environment contributes towards improving the lives of local people and visitors."

Rick Francis, chairman of Tivoli, added: "We have a strong and established relationship with Allerdale council, which has allowed us to work closely with them to meet challenging targets and ensure that efficiency and sustainability are at the core of our partnership, and we will continue to build on this in the coming years.”