ATHERTON has thrown down a green gauntlet to other towns.

At the third Atherton Township meeting ideas were discussed on ways of making the town cleaner and greener -- and winning Wigan Council's top town prize.

A new campaign by the Council's Street Scene Team will run until May 2004 with the aim of making the Borough a more attractive place to live.

Each Township will have to improve its "street scene" and landscape or clear grot spots with schools encouraged to sign-up to the Eco School Programme.

Atherton Township chairman Susan Loudon said: "Even though the prize -- is still under wraps -- we definitely think it will be

worth fighting for."

All townships should benefit from the campaign which will see 20 trees planted and an extra 15 litter bins in each area. Locals will help

identify areas that could be landscaped and highlight areas crying out for tidying.

Atherton has already established a Litter Free Strategy and those wanting to get involved and make Atherton cleaner, greener, and campaign champs should ring 01942 776160 or 776158.