Anti-litter campaigners at Brighton Carnival

Litter Bugs beware! Keep Britain Tidy campaigners aim to get their message across during Hove's colourful carnival in this nostalgic short film from the Albany Cine Club

The film starts with Keep Britain Tidy activists preparing their litter-laden float for Hove's seafront carnival. After a glimpse of a podium filled with dignitaries, including Hove’s mayor and the TV comedian, Dick Emery, we see a military band march past followed by a procession of gaily decorated floats and carnival participants, some in flamboyant costumes. The watching crowds disperse after the procession ends but, oh dear, lots of litter has been left behind.

The Keep Britain Tidy campaign has its origins in a 1954 conference of the British Women's Institute, when a resolution was passed to initiate an anti-litter drive across the United Kingdom. The following year, at a conference of 26 different organisations, the Keep Britain Tidy campaign was formally brought into being. In 1969 a 'tidy man' logo was created and this famous image has appeared on packaging and litter-bins throughout the country. Since the creation of the campaign numerous anti-littering laws have been introduced while a large number of celebrities have appeared in many anti-litter advertising campaigns including Marc Bolan, Morecambe & Wise, Kenny Everett, Terry Wogan and Roland Rat.