BATH is among the top 10 finalists in this year's Cleanest City Award, run by the British Cleaning Council.

The city has been chosen from 30 entries, half the total number of cities in Britain to be shortlisted.

The work of local pressure group Keep Bath Tidy, which is running the Keep It Clean campaign, helped Bath to get into the top 10.

Bath and North East Somerset council's head of Direct Services Matthew Smith is delighted at the city's success.

He said: "We are really pleased to be through to the top 10 finalists, and we are asking for everyone's help to keep the city clean throughout the winter period."

Judges will be visiting Bath to monitor the city's cleanliness.

He said: "Success in this competition is a real selling point for the city and something of which residents can be proud.

"Last year Bath was the runner-up to Chester. Hopefully we can go one better this year."