Thousands of volunteers collected hundreds of bags of litter across the county on Saturday during the tenth annual County Clean Up.

Bridie Doherty joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day at Looscaunagh Lough. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Denis Tangney whose daughter Orla Tangney and husband Noel O'Reilly (KWD Recycling) with Natalie Bahric with her daughter Yeseniya Bahric and Sofia Volovyk who fled their homes in war torn Ukraine two weeks ago joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

FATHER AND SON: Father and son Seamus and Seamus Jnr O'Donoghue Flesk Killarney joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day organised by Kerry County Council and facilitated by KWD Recycling. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

HARD AT IT: Terence Mulcahy (left) and Derry O'Mahony joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

HELPING TOGETHER: Host family Orla Tangney (left) and husband Noel O'Reilly (KWD Recycling) with Natalie Bahric with her daughter Yeseniya Bahric and Sofia Volovyk who fled their homes in war torn Ukraine two weeks ago joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day. Also Included are staff members and family at KWD Tadgh Healy Denis Tangney Anna Murphy Luke Kate Jack Murphy Denis Lyne and Sean Murphy Director KWD. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Husband and wife team Carol Dempsey and Sean Buckley joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Johnny McGuire (left) and Conor Hennigan pictured helping at the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Johnny McGuire fishing for rubbish. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Out in the wilds of Looscaunagh Lough Mike Doherty joined in the KWD Annual County Clean-Up Day. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

For the first time in three years, the County Clean Up was able to take place at full capacity and almost 5,000 volunteers registered with KWD Recycling to participate. KWD has begun the collection of all of the litter which has been collected by community groups and individuals all over Kerry.

The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jimmy Moloney thanked all those who participated.

"It was so uplifting to see so many people in their high-vis vests and equipped with bags and litters pickers in towns and rural areas in every part of the county. The weather held up nicely and ensured that volunteers could play their part. I want to say a very sincere thank you to each and every one of them for their assistance and particularly Tidy Towns committees and community groups who coordinated the effort in their areas," said Cllr Moloney.

Noel O’Reilly of KWD Recycling echoed the appreciation for all of the volunteers.

"The County Clean Up is now a well-established community event and gives an annual focus to the environment and waste in Kerry. We would ask everyone to bear with us while we gather up all of the bags of litter for disposal. Well done to everyone who took part."