A WOMAN who was forced to leave her profession following a brain injury is hoping to inspire others to help keep the community clean as part of The Mail’s Big Clean campaign.

Julie Sagar of Goose Green, Dalton was a paramedic for 35 years but following a mini stroke she was urged by doctors to take early retirement.

Never deterred the 52-year-old saw this as an opportunity and now carries out litter picks across the area every day for one hour.

One of her favourite spots is Aldingham beach along the coast road.

Mrs Sagar said: "Following the mini strokes doctors encouraged me not to have any stress and to have as much relaxation as possible.

"To help with this I started doing the litter picks and I now do them every day for at least an hour.

"I actually find it quite relaxing and since doing them my whole family has got involved including my niece."

Mrs Sagar is also regularly joined by her cocker spaniel Livvie and since doing the litter picks she has also liaised with the South Lakes District Council to provide another bin at Aldingham to help collect more rubbish being washed up on the beach.

Another driving force behind her actions is the community aspect and the social history tied up with all the found objects.

"You find all sorts of things being washed up from rusty old bits from houses and parts from ships and you can't help but wonder where those things have come from and who used them.

"It is also a nice way to talk and chat with other people in the community.

"From doing the litter picks I know someone who has been carrying out beach cleans since he was 18 - he is now 70.

"Since being forced to retire I feel that has helped me to keep me relaxed and it is always nice to see all the amount you have collected.

"It is great to see all the rubbish being taken away from the beach and it is nice to think that you have made some difference."

Mrs Sagar is determined to keep up her daily efforts and although she has on occasion done litter picks up to three hours she is hoping to sustain her daily hourly target.

The Mail’s Big Clean campaign, in collaboration The Westmorland Gazette, aims to encourage our local communities to take pride in the area where they live.

The campaign, sponsored by Kimberly Clark and Spirit Energy, calls upon schools, community groups, resident associations, businesses and individuals to rid our streets of litter and rubbish.

To get involved and organise your own litter pick email Vanessa.Sims@newsquest.co.uk